The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Los Angeles Sparks in their first game of the Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday afternoon. Phoenix, 4-5, got back on track after a four-game losing streak. Los Angeles, 2-6, just lost its second game in a row, staying put at last in the Western Conference.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Despite the Sparks’ struggles early on this season, their upside is clear. Led by two-time WNBA All-Star Dearica Hamby, Los Angeles has a promising future with a mix of veterans and young players.
Hamby is currently having her best season yet, and is on track to make her third All-Star appearance. Averaging 20.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists, Hamby has seen a major statistical improvement. She’s upped her points per game by 11.7, rebounds per game by 6.8, and assists per game by 2.1.
Hamby is an early candidate for Most Improved player at the age of 30-years-old. Diana Taurasi showed praise to the Sparks superstar following the Mercury’s win.
Diana Taurasi showed praise to LA Sparks forward Dearica Hamby:
"Dearica [Hamby] is playing unbelievable basketball…I think she's the prototype going forward that can do it all."#ValleyTogether #TheNewClassic pic.twitter.com/VMQgmOuaOI
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) June 3, 2024
“[Los Angeles] has got tremendous upside,” said Taurasi on Sunday. “Dearica [Hamby] is playing unbelievable basketball. I’ve never seen someone improve leaps and bounds like she has in the last four, five years. Doing what she did in [Las] Vegas, and now she’s one of the premier post players in our league. I think she’s the prototype going forward that can do it all.”
Arizona Coalition for Change supporting Phoenix Mercury through 2024 Commissioner’s Cup
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Justin LaCertosa covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @LaCertosaSports
