The Sparks felt right at home in their Canadian exhibition game in Toronto on Saturday night.
They defeated the Seattle Storm 84-79 as four players scored in double-figures. That includes rookie Cameron Brink, the second overall pick of Sparks, who scored 11 points with three rebounds and two blocks.
Nneka Ogwumike, who played for the Los Angeles Sparks for the last 12 seasons, scored four points (1 of 4 field goals) in her exhibition debut with the Storm. She also had two rebounds and two assists..
Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, a two-time All-Star, led both teams with 17 points and nine in 16 minutes.
In the first half of the game, Kia Nurse, Lexie Brown and Li Yueru of the Sparks combined for 6 of 7 3-pointers . Nurse played for the Storm last season but recently signed with the Sparks.
Nurse’s older brother, Darnell Nurse of the NHL Edmonton Oilers, attended the game. The Oilers had just eliminated the Los Angeles Kings from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Sparks overcame 24 turnovers and held the lead in the late stages of the game. The Storm cut the deficit to three with a minute remaining but couldn’t pull any closer. .
Los Angeles guard Lexie Brown played for the first time since missing half of last season to injuries. She scored 10 points, with four rebounds 21 minutes.
Los Angeles converted 8 of 25 three-pointers and shot 90% from the free-throw line.
Rickea Jackson scored 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds on 4 of 9 field goal attempts during her preseason debut.
On Friday May 10th, the Los Angeles Sparks will play against the Phoenix Mercury for their second preseason game.
