With each passing day, Los Angeles Sparks Their playoff hopes appear to be over. not yet mathematically finishedLosses like Wednesday’s 93-86 defeat against the Indiana Fever don’t help the Sparks at all. After the game, Sparks veteran guard Odyssey Sims explained what went wrong and what the team’s mindset should be going forward.
Sparks struggled throughout the gameOn the road against a red-hot Fever team that has lost only one game since the season resumed after the Olympic break. But in the end, like many of the Sparks’ losses this season, they were unable to close out the fourth quarter.
“Early on in the game I thought we executed pretty well. Our spacing was a little weak, we were on top of each other a little bit,” Sims said. “But I think we were solid defensively. It’s the little things with this group. We just have to do better at getting everybody together as a group. But the biggest thing is staying together. We got another, quick comeback on Friday.”
If the Sparks still want to make the playoffs, Friday’s game is a huge one against a Chicago Sky team that is currently eighth in the standings but has lost seven in a row. The last time the Sky and Sparks played against each other was on August 17. The result was a loss for the Sparks as they were unable to respond to a Sky surge early in the fourth quarter.
Odyssey Sims has made a difference for Sparks
When the Sparks signed Odyssey Sims just days after the season resumed, it was hard to imagine she was a free agent. She came just after averaging a little over 17 points per game with the Dallas Wings. What was even more surprising was that she wasn’t on a WNBA roster at the start of the season.
Since Simms’ arrival in Los Angeles, she has made an immediate impact, even if it doesn’t show in the win/loss column. Simms has fit in seamlessly as the Sparks’ starting point guard and has become a vocal leader on the court and in the locker room.
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“With any team, when you go to a new team, it takes time to get to know your teammates, get along with them, especially players you’ve never played with. So I think I’ve got a handle on understanding the game, getting to know my teammates, where to find them,” Sims said after the loss to the Fever. “I’m trying to stay aggressive on the offensive end, play my heart out on defense… I’m just trying to give as much energy as I can because they take energy from me. I’m just trying to lead this team and keep the desire to win.”
In the seven games prior to Wednesday’s contest against the Fever, Sims was averaging 9.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 85.7 percent from the free-throw line. Against the Fever, she had a team-high 20 points on 7-13 shooting, two rebounds, six assists and two steals.
S Recently signed a third 7-day contract With the Sparks, that means once the deal is done, the team will either have to sign her for the remainder of the season or let her out.