Canadian Kia Nurse had some nerves entering SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 WNBA pre-season contest at Rogers Place.
The Hamilton native and Canadian national team star had nine points in 19 minutes of action as her Los Angeles Sparks held on to beat the Seattle Storm 84-79 in front of 16,655 fans.
B次元官网网址淚 was nervous before, in all honesty,B次元官网网址� Nurse said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a lot people, and I spent a lot of time building my career here in Canada, from the jump all the way through high school. And to be in an arena that is filled for a WNBA game on Canadian soil is not something you put on your dream board as a kid.
B次元官网网址淪o to be in this situation now, to see how things have changed, and how itB次元官网网址檚 propelling womenB次元官网网址檚 sports forward, and particularly in Canada, itB次元官网网址檚 really, really special.B次元官网网址�
As the only Canadian on the floor, Nurse received the loudest roar during pre-game introductions. She gave a short pre-game speech to the crowd before the game.
Sparks coach Curt Miller said his team called a set play right off the jump ball that would try to get the ball in NurseB次元官网网址檚 hands so she could score the first points of the game. While Nurse missed from three-point range, he said the way she handled the pressure was special.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just really proud of her,B次元官网网址� said Miller. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 unbelievably connected with their family. Kia looked confident. We ran the first play because we wanted her to score the first basket here in Canada.
B次元官网网址淚 know it was such an emotional night for her. It was truly special for her. SheB次元官网网址檚 the face of their national team.B次元官网网址�
It was the second straight season a WNBA exhibition game took place and sold out in Canada. SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 contest followed a sellout game at TorontoB次元官网网址檚 Scotiabank Arena in 2023.
Reports have said Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum aims to secure a Toronto franchise ahead of the 2025 season.
B次元官网网址淐anada wants a WNBA team,B次元官网网址� said Nurse. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 very evident. ItB次元官网网址檚 been something theyB次元官网网址檝e been basically screaming at the top of their lungs for.B次元官网网址�
NurseB次元官网网址檚 sentiments were echoed by her American WNBA compatriots.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 amazing,B次元官网网址� said Storm guard Joyner Holmes, who finished with 13 points. B次元官网网址淢y journeyB次元官网网址檚 a little different, IB次元官网网址檝e been cut from teams. So to be adding teams and roster spots will help those whoB次元官网网址檝e had experiences like mine B次元官网网址� And expanding to places like this? ItB次元官网网址檚 going to be lit.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e adding Golden State next year, so weB次元官网网址檙e going to have 13 (teams),B次元官网网址� said Skylar Diggins-Smith, who paced the Storm with 14 points and five assists. B次元官网网址淪o it would be nice to get to an even number of teams.B次元官网网址�
Diggins-Smith said Storm players B次元官网网址渨ere screaming our lungs out so we could communicate with each other.B次元官网网址�
Dearica Hamby led the Sparks with 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Cameron Brink, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, scored her first basket as a member of the Sparks halfway through the first quarter.
Brink, who finished with 11 points, hit her first three-pointer 1:30 into the third quarter. The centre earned a large ovation for her rejection of Jade MelbourneB次元官网网址檚 layup attempt later in the second half.
With the Sparks leading 82-79 in the final minutes, the Storm had two chances to tie. But Melbourne air-balled her three-point attempt, and Kiana WilliamsB次元官网网址檚 three-point shot rimmed out.
Nia Clouden hit two late free throws to ice the game for Los Angeles.
On Saturday morning, the two teams conducted their shootarounds while the NHLB次元官网网址檚 Edmonton Oilers were on the ice at the Downtown Community Arena, which is part of the Rogers Place complex.
As Nurse saw the Oilers coming off the ice, they shared embraces. Her brother is Edmonton defenceman Darnell Nurse, who was courtside on Saturday night with his family.
Kia Nurse said Edmonton is a special place for her because itB次元官网网址檚 the home base for the Canadian womenB次元官网网址檚 national team and is also an Oilers fan.
B次元官网网址淭his is a really special arena,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been able to see Darnell play quite a few games here and to be able to have him and his kids come to the game today, thatB次元官网网址檚 really special because I donB次元官网网址檛 get to see them as often since theyB次元官网网址檙e always here when IB次元官网网址檓 home and vice versa.B次元官网网址�
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Steven Sandor, The Canadian Press
