Silver Stars-Sparks Preview

By MATT BEARDMORE
Posted Aug 07 2010 12:34PM

Despite missing two of their top players, the Los Angeles Sparks are positioning themselves for a postseason berth.

The San Antonio Silver Stars are trying not to fall out of playoff contention.

As Tina Thompson looks to move closer to the all-time WNBA scoring record, the Sparks will try to win four straight at home for the first time in two seasons on Sunday night.

With star Candace Parker (dislocated shoulder) and Betty Lennox (torn left meniscus) out for the season, the Sparks (10-7) have won five of seven since falling 10 games below .500 following an 83-73 loss at San Antonio on July 18.

"We have limited our turnovers, we've rebounded, and we shared the ball,'' coach Jennifer Gillom said following Friday's 77-70 victory over league-worst Tulsa. "Those are the three keys I've been telling them that we have to do every game in order to win.''

Thompson has provided the Sparks with a much-needed inside presence, averaging 15.8 points and 5.4 rebounds since Parker was injured June 13. Thompson, a nine-time All-Star, scored 12 points Friday and is 14 shy of moving past former Sparks center Lisa Leslie for the most in league history with 6,264.

Thompson is averaging 19.3 points and 9.3 boards in three games versus San Antonio this season.

While the Sparks are looking to win four in a row at Staples Center for the first time since a six-game run from July 6-Sept. 1, 2008, the Silver Stars (10-17) are trying to get back on track following consecutive losses to defending champion Phoenix. A 103-87 road loss Friday dropped San Antonio four games behind the Mercury and into a third-place tie in the crowded West standings.

The Silver Stars, Sparks and Minnesota are separated by one-half game.

"We need to win against the teams that we are competing against," coach Sandy Brondello told the Silver Stars' official website. "The next two are LA and Minnesota."

San Antonio, which has lost four of six, finishes a two-game trip with its first visit to Los Angeles since a 73-63 loss July 1. Thompson scored 24 points with 10 rebounds as the Sparks snapped a four-game skid and won their first game without Parker.

Roneeka Hodges hit six 3-pointers and scored a season-high 24, and Becky Hammon added 21 with seven assists as San Antonio snapped a three-game slide with its July 18 victory.

Hammon is averaging 16.3 points and 5.3 assists against Los Angeles in 2010.

The home team has won the last five times in this matchup.

Sparks lose as Thompson becomes WNBA points leader

Posted Aug 08 2010 11:33PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) Tina Thompson scored 23 points to become the WNBA's all-time scoring leader Sunday night in a 92-83 loss to the San Antonio Silver Stars.

She surpassed Lisa Leslie's career total of 6,263 points when Thompson hit a 16-footer with 5:01 left in the third quarter. Leslie, who played for Los Angeles for her entire career, retired last year.

The Sparks acknowledged Thompson's feat at a timeout less than a minute later.

``Basketball started here in L.A. for me,'' said Thompson, who attended Southern California. ``Anything I'm able to accomplish here is a pretty big deal because it's in front of my family, my friends and the people who supported me.''

Los Angeles coach Jennifer Gillom said she was relieved that Thompson set the record.

``I just think it was a distraction,'' Gillom said. ``There's been a lot of talk about it. I'm just glad that it's over with so we can get that out of our heads and start focusing on winning games.''

Roneeka Hodges scored 19 points for the Silver Stars (11-17), who have won three of five. Becky Hammon had 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and Sophia Young added 16 points and 10 rebounds.

``I thought it was one of our better games,'' Silver Stars coach Sandy Brondello said. ``I think we had more focus for this game. We needed a sense of urgency and we wanted to play with that edge.''

The victory put San Antonio into third place in the Western Conference by a half-game over Minnesota and one game over Los Angeles. The top four finishers qualify for the WNBA playoffs.

``This was a big game for us,'' Hammon said. ``We were looking at this as a playoff game and we tried to bring that kind of intensity from the start.''

DeLisha Milton-Jones scored 21 points for the Sparks (10-18) and Ticha Penicheiro added 12 points, a season-high nine rebounds and eight assists.

San Antonio used a 16-4 surge, led by Hammon's eight points, to move ahead 25-19 with 1:17 left in the first quarter. After Los Angeles drew within 28-27, the Silver Stars went on a 9-0 run to build a 37-27 lead with 3:43 before halftime.

``We wanted to come out and throw the first punch,'' Hammon said, ``then maintain an aggressive style.''

The Silver Stars put the Sparks away with a 14-3 spree that extended the margin to 82-66 with 3:51 to play. Crystal Kelly scored nine of her season-best 15 points during that run.

San Antonio shot 53.2 percent and out-rebounded Los Angeles, 38-21.

• Silver Stars: --
• Sparks: --

• Silver Stars: --
• Sparks: --

• Lead Changes: 2
• Times Tied: 1

• Arena: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
• Officials: #39 Michael Price, #27 Penny Davis, #31 Amy Bonner
• Attendance: 9793
• Duration: 2:0