The Los Angeles Sparks are dealing with a rough patch in the schedule and an injury list that keeps growing. After Monday’s loss to the Golden State Valkyries and Wednesday’s defeat to the Minnesota Lynx, head coach Lynne Roberts offered some clarity Friday on where two key players stand.
Kelsey Plum missed Wednesday’s game with what the team called a lower leg injury. She’s been playing at an MVP-level clip this season, averaging a career-best 25.0 points per game, which ranks second in the WNBA. Plum also posted career highs in shooting percentages: 54 percent from the field, 40.5 percent from three and 80.3 percent from the free throw line over 11 games. But the Sparks went 1-2 earlier this season when Plum sat out with an ankle sprain, so her absence is noticeable.
Roberts said Plum is day-to-day and that a decision on Sunday’s home game against the New York Liberty will likely come that day. “KP is day-to-day. I don’t know if she’s going to play on Sunday so it’ll probably be a Sunday decision would be my guess. So hopefully we can get her out there a little tomorrow [at practice], see how she looks, but we’re not gonna rush her,” Roberts said after Friday’s practice.
Cameron Brink is a different story. The third-year center sprained her ankle in the second half of Monday’s loss to the Valkyries and didn’t return. Roberts was blunt about Brink’s timeline: “Cameron is out. She’s got a good ankle sprain that she’s rehabbing the heck out of, but that’s a ways away.”
With Brink sidelined, the Sparks are down to just two traditional post players: Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby. That means more minutes for veteran forward Emma Cannon, who played extended time against the Lynx and impressed Roberts with her physical play. Cannon shot 1-of-3 from beyond the arc that night and grabbed three rebounds in 21 minutes.
“Emma Cannon, we’re gonna need her,” Roberts said. “She’s physical and sets screens, she’ll execute. She’s got six fouls to give so we know she’s gonna play hard, but we’re gonna rely on her a little bit too.” Roberts added that Cannon’s ability to set hard screens and defend without backing down will be important. “We need some people out there that are not afraid to just set a hard one, lay wood on somebody. She’ll do that and she’ll defend like that too. You’re not gonna roll up on her. She’ll just stop right there. She’s remarkably strong.”
The Sparks also made a roster move Friday, signing fifth-year guard Kiana Williams to add backcourt depth. To clear a spot, they waived second-year center Sania Feagin, who had been working her way back from her own injury and playing sparingly since her rookie year.
Sunday’s game against New York will be a test. The Liberty are one of the league’s best teams, and without Brink — and possibly without Plum — the Sparks will need contributions from everywhere to keep pace. Roberts didn’t sound panicked, but her comments made it clear they’re not rushing anyone back.
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