Erica Wheeler and Nneka Ogwumike helped the Los Angeles Sparks continue their recent surge and survive the first game without Kelsey Plum.
The Sparks hope to see another productive showing from the duo when they visit the league-worst Connecticut Sun on Saturday night in Hartford, Conn.
The Sparks (4-3) have scored at least 90 points in five straight games (4-1) after Wheeler and Ogwumike combined for 41 points in Friday’s 92-87 win at Washington.
Wheeler scored 14 of her season-high 21 points in the fourth quarter after totaling 33 points in the first six games.
Ogwumike returned from missing last weekend’s win over Las Vegas with a hand injury and totaled 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Plum will miss her second straight game after injuring her ankle in practice Tuesday. She will be re-evaluated again on Tuesday.
Aside from Wheeler and Ogwumike, the Sparks are hoping to see more productive showings from Cameron Brink and Dearica Hamby. Brink tied her season high with 16 points while Hamby contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals.
“Everybody’s got to do a little bit more,” Los Angeles coach Lynne Roberts said. “The toughness to win on the road without K.P (Plum), I’m incredibly proud of this group.”
Connecticut (1-8) is playing the first of two games in Hartford during its final season before moving to Houston. The Sun also will host the Dallas Wings in Hartford on July 2.
Five of Connecticut’s losses have been by double digits, including the past three, which were decided by a combined 55 points.
Aneesah Morrow has led the team in scoring in the past two games. She scored 13 points Wednesday when the Sun took a 71-61 loss at Portland.
“This has been a long road trip, I think we’re the only team that’s played nine games now this season,” Morrow said after Wednesday’s loss. “There’s a lot of adversity that we all hit as a team (and) individually throughout this whole process.”
Brittney Griner has missed the past four games with a rib injury and six games overall but was not on the injury report for Saturday’s game.
The Sun also will get Leila Lacan back from international commitments. Lacan averaged 10.4 points last season and will take the roster spot of Hailey Van Lith, who was waived Thursday.
–Field Level Media
