WNBA: Washington and L.A. Unite For National Anthem Before Sparks Stall Mystics' Playoff Clinch

By ROB KNOX (@knoxrob1)

 

WASHINGTON – Long before the reigning WNBA champion Los Angeles Sparks applied the finishing flourishes on a 95-62 victory over the Washington Mystics at the Capital One Arena Wednesday night, the most meaningful moment occurred before the starting lineups were introduced.

 

In a show of solidarity, players, coaches and trainers for the Mystics and Sparks stood side-by-side with locked arms during a moment of silence for victims killed and injured in Charlottesville, Virginia. They also remained that way as the national anthem played while everybody in attendance reflected on another tumultuous week in our country.

 

“It was amazing to stand in solidarity especially with the events that are going on in our country right now,” Los Angeles Spark center Candace Parker said. “To be able to stand alongside and basically say that we all are equal and we are all together is great. We as women are strong and we’re going to fight to create those opportunities for the future. That’s my focus so my daughter lives in a world that isn’t full of hate. It’s full of love.”

 

Even though the Sparks are in the midst of a five-game road trip, Parker indicated that she had discussions with her daughter Lailaa about what occurred over the weekend. 

 

“I talk to her about a lot of different things,” Parker said. “I am really lucky because she’s been able to travel the world and see a lot of different cultures and experience a lot. So she doesn’t understand it.”

 

Washington head coach Mike Thibault and his players realize the significance of their pre-game statement.

 

“I like the fact that players in our league have a conscience and are willing to express it,” Thibault said. “Our team talked about it this morning and I thought they did the right thing. It was appropriate and it sent a positive message for what needs to be in our country.”

Unlike a year ago when the league initially issued fines for players’ actions supporting Black Lives Matter before soon rescinding them, WNBA president Lisa Borders was on board with the move here and later in Seattle, which hosted Minnesota, tweeting, “We fully support our players, who are offering a demonstration of unity that we hope America can emulate in the wake of the tragic events in Charlottesville.

“We offer our sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones and our support to those who were injured during the inexcusable violence that transpired.”

That statement was also included in an Associated Press report that prior to the start of Wednesday’s games the WNBA sent a memo to its teams effective through August 25 saying the league is “suspending the national anthem protocol (which entails lining up in a dignified posture along the foul lines during the playing of the national anthem) beginning (Wednesday) and ending August 25.”

The communique explained the league was making this move to accommodate the support of the players’ voices and to “honor the victims of the Charlottesville tragedy”.

The WNBA said it made the move in answer to a request from Nneka Ogwumike, a star on the Sparks and league MVP last season who is president of the players’ union.

Sparks guard and former Rutgers standout Essence Carson also weighed in.

 

“This means a lot because of our current situation and the current state we are in socially,” Carson said. “It’s everywhere in the world, but specifically here in America. At this moment to show that you can unite as players and women of different ethnicities, different backgrounds and we’re able to unite and play this game of basketball while standing together for a cause means a lot.”

 As for the game, the Sparks never trailed as they swept the three-game season series from the Mystics. They led 22-18 after the first quarter. 

In helping the Sparks cruise to their 20th victory of the season, Parker led the way with 21 points and seven rebounds. Odyssey Sims and Nneka Ogwumike had 18 points each. Sims dished seven assists and recorded four steals for the Sparks, who shot 61.5 percent. 

 

“I think our defense was good,” Parker said. “We had eight or nine steals in the first half so when you have that type of defensive effort – our main concern now is second chance points and making sure we’re keeping people off the boards and we’re able to rebound because when we’re able to rebound and get stops we’re at our best.”

 

Forward Emma Meesseman led the Mystics with 20 points and seven rebounds. It was Meesseman’s 10th consecutive game scoring 15 or more points. Guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored in double figures for the second-straight game, netting 16 points in 18 minutes. 

Los Angeles, fighting for the second seed with the Connecticut Sun at the moment, came into the game off a loss Sunday in New York and the win temporarily stopped Washington from returning to the playoffs after losing out last season. 

 

Help could be on the way soon for the Mystics as they are targeting Elena Delle Donne’s return to the court next Friday at New York according to Thibault. The Mystics close their four-game homestand Friday against Phoenix.

 

“When you are shorthanded you have to find other ways to do things,” Thibault said. “We can't just sit there and wait for Elena to get back, we have to find a way to do something positive. We have done that, won five of our last six games but fact of the matter is that we are playing some teams that are just as desperate as us to get their playoff seeding right. Phoenix is chasing us and it’s the tiebreaker. There is a lot at stake.”