LAS VEGAS, NV – The Los Angeles Sparks’ rough start to the season continued in Sin City as they were routed by the Las Vegas Aces 97-69 last Friday night.
What made the night even tougher for the Sparks (0-2) was watching two of their former players in Chelsea Gray and Riquana Williams contributing to the rout.
Gray spent five seasons with the Sparks winning a WNBA championship in 2016, a three-time All-Star, and making the All-WNBA First Team in 2019 while always bringing toughness, leadership, playmaking, and scoring to the team.
She was clearly motivated to play against her former teammates, friends, and coaches scoring a team-high 18 points along with 6 assists and 5 rebounds.
Williams also spent four years in Los Angeles with the Sparks as a key scorer off the bench and had a decent game against her former squad with 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Head coach Derek Fisher coached both players in his first two years with the team and respects both Gray and Williams.
“We’ve seen Vegas now three times in the last 15 days so there have been interactions with Riquna and Chelsea prior to tonight that have been fine, positive and respectful,” Fisher said. “I’m always going to wish both of them the best. They’re both really good players, I’m happy they’re in a good situation, part of a good team in a good organization.”
Chiney Ogwumike downplayed seeing her former teammates again, but still respects them both.
“I mean I have a lot of respect for their game. Honestly, it doesn’t matter who we play against,” Ogwumike said. “It’s one of those things where the switch flips, like Liz (Cambage) is one of my closest friends in life, but when it comes to the game we have our own mission.”
Rookie Arella Guirantes spoke about how much she learned just watching Gray and Williams.
“It was a really good experience because as I’m guarding them, I’m picking up small things that they’re doing,” Guirantes said. “Riquna was stepping and coming off screens, using her balance as she’s elevating into her shot, and just seeing how Chelsea Gray is really patient and has her own pace to the game. It was great watching them and playing against them, because I was picking up on little things that they were doing to be successful.”
The Sparks will now head to Chicago for a two-game set against another familiar face and WNBA great Candace Parker and the Sky starting on Friday, May 28 at 5:00 pm PST.
