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Ogwumike duo powers Los Angeles to its first win

By Sabreena Merchant

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 31: Chiney Ogwumike #13 and Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks looks on before the game against the Connecticut Sun on May 31, 2019 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 31: Chiney Ogwumike #13 and Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks looks on before the game against the Connecticut Sun on May 31, 2019 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Leaving Las Vegas was exactly what Chiney Ogwumike and the Sparks needed.

Chiney Ogwumike had a forgettable debut for the Los Angeles Sparks. Rather than dwell on the loss, the key for the new Spark and two-time All-Star, according to head coach Derek Fisher, was to leave Las Vegas in Las Vegas. Add in the emotion of playing in a home opener against her former team, and Ogwumike was ripe for a comeback.

Ogwumike led Los Angeles in scoring with 20 points, including 6-for-6 shooting at the foul line as she powered her way through the Connecticut defenders, and chipped in 7 rebounds to help the Sparks earn their first win of the season. She had to play 32 minutes as Los Angeles remained without Candace Parker, and also was missing Maria Vadeeva for overseas commitments and Alana Beard with a left leg injury.

“It was fun. I can’t describe it any better than that,” Ogwumike said. “We just wanted to compete and be better. It doesn’t really matter who we’re going against. It was just the mindset that we’re going to attack and be more aggressive, no matter who’s playing or who’s not playing.”

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The Sparks were able to overcome the absence of so many key players by leaning on a combination of two that they still had. One of the themes of their season-opening loss was that all of the new faces on this roster were still learning how to play with one another. One duo that doesn’t need any introduction? Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike.

“I still think that they have their own language. It’s a matter of being able to read each other without saying anything,” Fisher said. “They saved the day for us in a lot of ways tonight.”

The sisters, who would probably prefer to stop having to address that fact, only played 4:34 together against the Aces. Against the Sun, though, they shared the court for 27 minutes, according to PBP Stats. In that time, L.A. had a 109 offensive rating, compared to 82.0 in the opener, and was plus-6 in a game the Sparks won by 7. Their dominance on both ends of the floor was the key to victory.

Nneka was the second-leading scorer with 19 points and added 15 rebounds, 3 on the offensive end. The Ogwumikes collectively had 7 offensive rebounds to help offset the team shooting 38.9 percent from the field. They also shot 9-of-13 at the rim against a taller frontcourt of Jonquel Jones and Alyssa Thomas.

On defense, the size disparity was evident as Jones grabbed 22 rebounds, including 8 of Connecticut’s misses. However, even though the L.A. bigs couldn’t clean the glass, they provided solid rim protection, forcing the Sun to miss more than half their shots at the basket. They were also able to recover out onto shooters effectively with their speed, forcing Connecticut into shooting 11-of-40 away from the rim.

“A lot of the things that we have to do defensively, they can kind of cover for each other even if it’s not exactly what we designed, because of their connection, which is really what defense is about,” Fisher said about the Ogwumikes. “They just kind of figure it out together, and we’re lucky to have each of them.”

The two sisters carried the Sparks throughout the game, and then each made a big play down the stretch to help seal the deal. With Los Angeles up 69-67, Chiney boxed out Shekinna Stricklen, grabbed an offensive rebound, scored on a put-back, and completed a three-point play to create a five-point advantage.

On the ensuing possession, Chelsea Gray collapsed in the defense in the paint, drawing three defenders. She passed it out to Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, who immediately swung the ball to Nneka for the game-sealing triple.

Before the season started, there was some concern that for all the talent the Sparks have, some of it can be a bit duplicative. However, the ability of the Ogwumikes to collectively control the paint and then also individually space out for jumpers showed that there can be a path to maximizing all of their skill sets. They’ve proven that in the past while reaching Final Fours together seven years ago, but this is a new challenge at a higher level. It’s one that they are eager to embrace.

Much like the Las Vegas disappointment was only one contest, this win against Connecticut counts the same. One game is one game. However, the Sparks are confident in their ability to grow together and become a team as the season progresses. This is the upward trajectory they would like to follow, and just as the team coalesces, the Ogwumikes also expect to improve their chemistry.

“I mean, what can I tell you? We haven’t seen it yet,” Nneka said about the Ogwumike partnership after the game. “It’s going to be fire, absolutely, I don’t think there’s any two ways about it. It’s gonna be amazing. We just gotta give it time.”

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