The Los Angeles Sparks will pay tribute to their legendary player DeLisha Milton-Jones on Tuesday night, as the team prepares to face the New York Liberty at home.
The Sparks are looking to bounce back from their losing streak, having been defeated in their last five games, bringing their record down to 10-16. Coach Lynne Roberts emphasizes the importance of focusing on one game at a time, saying, "We got to just talk about New York. We've got to get some momentum."
The Liberty, on the other hand, have been on a roll, winning their last two games and sitting at 15-12 overall. They have a star-studded lineup featuring Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones. Coach Roberts notes that the Liberty are a "huge" team, and the Sparks will need to play with pace and use their speed to counter their opponents.
Sparks guard Erica Wheeler acknowledges that the team has struggled with finishing games, saying, "It gets rough… Just being able to find those moments to be focused and lock in on those moments because no team is blowing us out, man." She believes that the team needs to be more aggressive and initiate from the start.
The Sparks have a chance to turn things around against the Liberty, who have had a rough season themselves. However, the Liberty have won it all recently, and they will be looking to continue their winning streak.
The Sparks will also be celebrating a special occasion on Tuesday night, as they retire the jersey of legend DeLisha Milton-Jones. Milton-Jones attended the Sparks' 30th Season Anniversary Game last month, where the team came back from 17 down to win against the Liberty.
As the Sparks prepare to face the Liberty, they will need to focus on their end-of-game execution, as Coach Roberts notes, "Being really dialed in to what the scout was, what we're supposed to do on different coverages." The team will need to be a heightened focus and execute their game plan if they want to come out on top.
The game against the Liberty will be a crucial one for the Sparks, as they look to get their season back on track. With the jersey retirement ceremony for DeLisha Milton-Jones taking place on the same night, it promises to be a special and emotional evening for the team and their fans.
On Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Sparks will take on the New York Liberty at home, with the jersey retirement ceremony for DeLisha Milton-Jones taking place before the game. The Sparks will be looking to bounce back from their losing streak and get some momentum going into the second half of the season.
Source: Yahoo Sports