It was only nine months ago when the Los Angeles Sparks, locked in a do-or-die
WNBA Finals Game 5 with the Minnesota Lynx, saw the clock running out on their
magical season. Then with 3.1 seconds left, Nneka Ogwumike drained a jumper,
snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
On Saturday, six players from that game- two from the Sparks and four from the
Lynx -will take the court once again. This time, however, they’ll be wearing the
same jerseys. Unlike in the NBA, where the Finals matchup is comprised of a team
from the Western and Eastern Conferences, in the WNBA, two teams from the same
conference can compete in the Finals. Thus, it is inevitable that former
championship rivals could- and most likely will- end up playing together in the
All-Star game.
Although it is a rare and unique experience, players from both teams said they
are looking forward to it.
“It’s always a different vibe,” 2016 Finals MVP Candace Parker said. “You take a
break in your season and you’re coming to play with your competitors but yeah,
we’re excited to represent the West.”
Lynx forward, Maya Moore, sounded equally excited for the opportunity:
“Well I’ve just become a fan. When you’re competing you can’t really appreciate
the other team because you’re mad they’re doing it against you. But when they
are on our team, it’s like you can appreciate the versatility, the skill, the
talent. I remember playing with Nneka the first time in the World Championships
in 2014 and I was going crazy. I was her biggest cheerleader on the bench when I
was out and she was in. It’s just really appreciating their talents.”
Soft-spoken Lynx center, Sylvia Fowles, making her fifth All-Star appearance
said she doesn’t see the players as rivals.
“I don’t see it as a rivalry but that’s just me personally,” Fowles said. “Just
to have them all on my team for this All-Star game, I think it means a lot. It’s
an interesting dynamic on how we can switch it on and switch it off and be able
to play against folks and also have them along side us.”
It will be interesting to see if there are any special cross-team moments during
the All-Star game, such as a Moore assist to Ogwumike, or Parker to Fowles
connection. In addition to Moore and Fowles, the Lynx will be represented by
Seimone Augustus, making her seventh All-Star appearance and Rebekkah Brunson,
replacing an injured Brittney Griner.
