Sparks Miss a Big Chance in Sacramento
The Sparks can still get to the WNBA finals next week. But if they don’t, Thursday night’s 64-61 loss to Sacramento will be a big reason why.
The visiting Sparks were in great position to steal Game 1 of the Western Conference finals in Arco Arena. They overcame a terrible start (missing their first 10 shots) to lead by two at halftime, built a nine-point lead in the third quarter on some unconscious three-point shooting by Mwadi Mabika, and still led, 49-43, with seven minutes to play.
But, ultimately, they could not hold off the defending league champions.
Sacramento’s Yolanda Griffith broke the final tie of the night, sneaking in for a layup with 10.3 seconds to play to put the Monarchs ahead, 63-61. Temeka Johnson raced back down court and tried to score from amid three Monarchs under the basket, but missed with 3.6 seconds left.
Kara Lawson, who got the rebound, was fouled following a timeout. She made one of two free throws. The Sparks called timeout for one last shot, but the best they could do was a desperation three-point heave by Lisa Willis that hit the backboard as time ran out.
“It was 50-50; I saw an opening, but I should have done the right thing and called timeout,” Johnson said. “You never want to learn from a loss, but it’s a learning experience.”
So now the Sparks have to win twice this weekend to advance, starting Saturday night at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim. A third game, if necessary, would be in Staples Center on Sunday.
Sparks Coach Joe Bryant said he didn’t necessarily think his team had let one slip away. “This is probably the toughest place to play,” he said. “Sacramento is a great team that plays great defense. They take you out of everything you want to do.”
Still, the Sparks will have some topics to discuss before Saturday.
They know they wasted a great performance by Mabika, who made six of nine three-point attempts -- three in the third quarter alone -- and scored a game-high 23 points.
Mabika’s last three gave the Sparks their final points, tying the score at 61 with 34 seconds to play.
They shot only 36.7% (22 for 60) against the Monarchs. Johnson, with 14, was the only other Sparks player in double figures.
Although they held Sacramento to 38.3% shooting (23 for 60), the Sparks let a couple of key Monarchs get hot at the wrong time.
Griffith scored 14 of her team-high 18 points in the second half. Nicole Powell, who had all of her 17 points in the second half, personally cut a 43-34 Sacramento deficit to a manageable size by making the last seven points of the third quarter.
“The biggest problem that we had wasn’t offense, it was defense,” Bryant said. “We let them shoot some flat-footed threes. I can make those. And Nicole Powell, I think this was the best she played against us this year. She made some big shots for them.”
Monarchs Coach John Whisenant does not expect the Sparks to roll over in Game 2.
“We know it’s not going to be easy,” Whisenant said. “We’ve got to take it from them. They’re not going to give it to us.”
Lisa Leslie, who pulled down 11 rebounds but scored only seven points -- none in the second half -- said the Sparks will remember being able to come back against Seattle after losing the first game of that first-round series.
“Sacramento did what they were supposed to do. They got their win [at home],” Leslie said. “We’re positive, even with this loss. We learned from Seattle that it can be done. We’re going to give them a run for their money.”
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On the brink
How the Sparks have fared in playoff series in which they lost the first game on the road:
*--* * 2000 -- Lost to Houston, 2-0 * 2003 -- Defeated Minnesota, 2-1 Defeated Sacramento, 2-1 * 2004 -- Lost to Sacramento, 2-1 * 2006 -- Defeated Seattle, 2-1
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Source: WNBA