LOS ANGELES, CA – While many teams are back in their home arenas after spending last year in the Wubble in Florida, the Los Angeles Sparks find themselves calling another venue home for at least some of the 2021 season.
When the Sparks lost their season opener against the Dallas Wings 94-71 on Friday night, it wasn’t at their usual home at Staples Center; it was up the block at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
While their co-tenants, the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, prepare to utilize Staples Center during the upcoming NBA Playoffs, the Sparks had to temporarily relocate to the Convention Center due to COVID protocols.
The iconic 50-year-old landmark that sits in the heart of downtown LA and has hosted many events like the Los Angeles Auto Show, Anime Expo, and Electronic Entertainment Expo, will be the home for the Sparks for at least the first two months of the season, but will not have fans as of now.
For head coach and GM Derek Fisher, it’s his third different venue in as many years with the team, and believes the Sparks are getting the short end of the stick with this relocation.
“We’re making the most of a challenging situation, part of it is we’re here in LA, we’re honestly not prioritized the way we should be,” Fisher said. “We have to work around everything the men’s teams require and we get put last. We’re all doing the best we can to create an environment that feels as professional as possible for our players.”
“It would be nice to have a home court that we can rely on,” Fisher continued. “Unfortunately, it’s something that our players have gotten used to, but we’re going to change that.”
Sparks center Nneka Ogwumike, who scored 18 points with 8 rebounds in the loss to Dallas, seemed content with the temporary.
“I think this being a home away from home, it feels good,” Ogwumike said. “They did a really good job with the court and making it feel like Staples (Center). Once the fans get in here, it’ll (have) a nice feel.”
“It’s open like Staples but its right next door and I’m cool with it being a temporary home for us,” Ogwumike continued. “It feels like how it should feel when we’re playing at home.”
The Sparks will be away from their temporary home arena for the next few weeks as they embark on a tough four-game road trip to face the Las Vegas Aces, the Chicago Sky in a two-game set, and then Dallas to play the Wings again.
They will be back at the LA Convention Center on June 3 to play the Indiana Fever.
