Candace Parker’s 34 points lead Sparks over Seattle, 96-66, in season opener
Sparks forward Candace Parker, shown during a game last season, had 34 points on Sunday.
Candace Parker scored 34 points to spoil No. 1 overall pick Breanna Stewart’s pro debut and the Sparks beat the Seattle Storm, 96-66, in the WNBA opener for both teams Sunday at Staples Center.
Parker made 12 of 20 shots with three three-pointers, grabbed five rebounds and had four assists and three steals.
The Sparks scored the first eight points and were rarely challenged.
Midway through the first, Stewart had her first WNBA basket on a driving layup, but the Sparks led, 26-15, after the first. The former Connecticut star finished with 23 points to lead the Storm.
Seattle cut the deficit to seven points with 5:35 left in the half on Jewell Loyd’s pull-up jumper, but the Sparks closed the half on a 19-3 run to take a 51-26 lead.
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