Nneka Ogwumike’s sister, Chiney, highlighted glaring loopholes in the Los Angeles Sparks’ blowout 111-87 loss to the Indiana Fever on Saturday night. The Sparks played without their superstar, Kelsey Plum, in the lineup, as she is out due to a lower leg injury. Though Nneka led the offense with 17 points and seven rebounds, the team suffered another difficult loss.
Former WNBA player-turned-analyst Chiney Ogwumike believes that though Plum is the center of the Sparks’ offense, when she is out of the rotation, the team needs to find a working alternative strategy. She talked about the “safety net” offense that plays to every player’s strengths, like “something that easily creates strategic isolations for KP, short rolls for Nneka, drives for Dearica, off the dribble midrange jumpers for Ariel, finds Rae downhill in transition, etc.”
In her posts on Threads, Chiney also talked about the team defense, citing examples of players dropping big numbers against the Sparks’ defense. Chiney wrote:
“Every team has a “motion” or “safety net” offense that plays to their strengths… instead it seems the players are forcing a system that isn’t molding to them. This is especially highlighted when KP is out.”
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Chiney also hailed her sister for leading the team in the absence of KP and added:
“Just as much as I am proud of my big sis in Year 15 still doing her thing 🤯❤️ … I also want to see the young players develop and thrive! Cam was really on a roll and I love getting to know players like Taniya as we cover them through their transition to the league.”
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The Sparks have now lost consecutive games and have dropped five games out of six without Plum. They might still have to play several games before the two-time WNBA champion is cleared to rejoin the roster.
Nneka Ogwumike leads the Sparks offense without Kelsey Plum
Nneka Ogwumike had an all-around performance in Saturday’s game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse but could not get a win for the Sparks. She posted 17 points, seven rebounds, one steal, and two blocks. Four starters scored in double digits, but the defense completely collapsed in front of the Fever, who were also without Caitlin Clark.
The Sparks have dropped below .500, as they now face the Seattle Storm, who are coming off consecutive wins. Cameron Brink is also one of the defensive stalwarts of the team, who is out due to an ankle injury. Los Angeles looks toward someone like Ariel Atkins or Dearica Hamby to step up on the defense.
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