LOS ANGELES — With one minute left in the first half of the Sparks’ home opener on Sunday, Ariel Atkins got a hand on a Las Vegas pass and set off a scramble that ended with a three by Nneka Ogwumike, pulling the Sparks within one possession of the Aces.
It was the kind of play head coach Lynne Roberts has likely been dreaming about all offseason: disruptive, read-and-react defense creating offense. For about six minutes in the second quarter, it looked like the identity she’s been building toward had actually arrived.
Unfortunately, it didn’t last long. The Aces pulled away for a 105-78 win, and the Sparks’ defensive lapses were a significant part of the story. Las Vegas shot 62% from the field, the best field goal percentage in franchise history. Some of that is the Aces’ excellent offense, but it wouldn’t be fair not to consider Los Angeles’ defensive lapses.
“They just punched us in the face,” Kelsey Plum told reporters after the game. “We didn’t respond.”
After last season’s defensive challenges – the Sparks’ opponents scored a league-worst 88.2 points per game – the Sparks’ offseason focus has been clear: clean up the offense while retaining pace, and bring in pieces that support a defensive mindset. She was direct about what needs to change after Sunday’s loss.
“We didn’t have the fight defensively to scrap back in,” said Roberts.
Prior to the season, Roberts doubled down on her priorities and what will turn the Sparks into a playoff contender.
“We’ve got a great roster of veterans that understand what it takes on that defensive side. That was a big part of our roster. Ariel Atkins brings defensively what we didn’t have last year. Nneka, unbelievable, right? And then Erica Wheeler coming in, and just an absolute bulldog defensively,” Roberts said. “So a lot of it is personnel in terms of improvements, but a lot of it is on me and our staff to continually get better in that space.”
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The trade of Rickea Jackson for Ariel Atkins was always a bet on defense, and Atkins showed, in flashes, why that was the case. She opened the scoring for Los Angeles with a layup. She took a charge, forced a shot clock disruption, and allowed her teammates to play further into help. While her three-point shot didn’t convert Sunday — she shot 0-6 from beyond the arc — her defensive disruptions were consistent, demonstrating her ability to disrupt rotations.
Ogwumike framed what Atkins brings, and what the team owes her in return.
“She gave us some extra possessions, she’s really leading us in our efforts on defense,” Ogwumike said. “She does an amazing job of making our mistakes look like they didn’t happen. We know what she’s capable of on the offensive end. She was doing what she could to affect the defense but also ignite it for us. I don’t think we did a great job of responding to that. We have to be better for her, especially somebody who gives so much on the defensive end. We have to meet her at her standard.”
Ogwumike had 19 points and 10 rebounds in her first game back as a Spark, rewarding the loud home crowd that gave her a standing ovation before the game. She pulled down five offensive rebounds, trying to set the tone for her teammates with intensity and fire. Ultimately, she was disappointed with the effort put forth by the entire roster.
“It’s always great to be back here and I’m so grateful to be back where it all started, especially with Coach Lynne and KP and the squad that we have together,” Ogwumike said. “I was feeling the feels but all I can think about right now is how I feel like we disappointed the people that came to the home opener. Playing here, even before I left – that was not it. That’s not the standard that we operate by.”
In addition to Atkins, rookie Chance Gray played a few defensive possessions with real attentiveness and tenacity, picking up a real challenge in Las Vegas point guard Chelsea Gray. Veteran guard Erica Wheeler came off the bench and forced a turnover as the clock wound down in the first half, keeping the Sparks momentum (temporarily) alive. There were flashes of what Roberts and her staff want to bring to the table. But they were all temporary, with the Sparks unable to string together enough defensive possessions to build any sort of consistency or flow.
Notably missing from the defensive end on Sunday was Cameron Brink. Brink, who is capable of serving as a defensive anchor and athletic shot blocker, only played eight minutes, and was scoreless alongside three turnovers and three fouls.
“We need Cam to produce. We need Cam to bring that defensive energy. We have so much confidence and belief in her. She’s got to get out on the floor with some confidence and do what she’s capable of doing,” Roberts said after the game.
Ogwumike had the last word on the defensive question, too — and it wasn’t a patient one. “Defense is not something that gels. You either want to do it or you don’t. Defense is not something you guys should be sitting here watching and hoping we get it down by the end of the month. You should see it on Wednesday.”
The Sparks host Indiana on Wednesday at 7:30 PM PT.
