LONG BEACH, CA — The Los Angeles Sparks lost 92-81 to the Atlanta Dream in their home opener at the Walter Pyramid at Long Beach State. The game was a fierce, gritty contest through the first three quarters, with both teams trading blows in a heavyweight battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Sparks got a promising start with a highlight play during the second possession. Cameron Brink found Layshia Clarendon, who sank an impressive three-pointer—the team’s first points of the season. Brink added to her tally with an easy layup after cutting inside, marking her first official point in the WNBA.
Brink’s early foul trouble limited her impact, a setback the Dream exploited as the game progressed, especially during the critical fourth quarter. Atlanta surged ahead after Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Crystal Dangerfield hit back-to-back layups to open the final period. Rhyne Howard then made clutch free throws followed by a three-pointer on the next possession, pushing the Dream’s lead into double digits—a margin that became a nightmare for the Sparks.
“Cam has to find a way to stay out of foul trouble because she’s so important to what we’re doing,” Sparks head coach Curt Miller said. “She’s a really good distributor of the ball as a 6-5 person so that she can create opportunities for her teammates. Defensively, she’s great rim protection, but when you play for three minutes in the first stretch and have to sit down, that’s a big blow.”
Despite the loss, some individual performances stood out. Brink finished with 11 points, four assists, and two blocks in her debut. Dearica Hamby was a bright spot for the Sparks, leading the team with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Clarendon also made a notable contribution, capturing her first career triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Reflecting on the game, Coach Miller emphasized the importance of staying disciplined.
The Sparks are focused on regrouping and preparing for their next challenge on the road against the reigning World Champion Las Vegas Aces. The team is eager to learn from its opening game and improve as the season progresses.
