Sparks Play Exhibition Against Detroit at Pond

The Sparks will suit up their three former ABL players for the first time tonight at 7:30 at the Arrowhead Pond when they play the Detroit Shock in a WNBA exhibition.

One, first-round pick DeLisha Milton, is expected to start at forward, joining rookie point guard Ukari Figgs from Purdue and veterans Lisa Leslie, Tamecka Dixon and Allison Feaster.

The second-round ABL pick, 6-foot-5 Clarisse Machanguana, is expected to play a lot. The third former ABL player, forward La’Keshia Frett, a fourth-round choice, sat out the last two practices because of tendinitis and will be reevaluated today.

Dixon’s participation will also be determined today. She sat out two practices this week because of a scratched eye. Veteran point guard Penny Toler sat out Friday’s practice because of flulike symptoms. However, club sources say Toler, unhappy over losing her starting position to Figgs, is seeking a trade.

But compared to the Shock, the Sparks are sound. Detroit Coach Nancy Lieberman-Cline left her top two ABL picks, Jennifer Azzi and Val Whiting, at home because of muscle pulls. And veteran Cindy Brown also stayed in Detroit because of a pull.