LA SPARKS AT THE PYRAMID
By Marina Hernández
Photo submitted by the LA Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks are meeting us here on our home turf! Five electrifying games will be played this summer at our very own Walter Pyramid!
With the Crypto.com Arena undergoing renovations, Long Beach State has revitalized its partnership with the LA Sparks to host the first five games of their season beginning May 15th and running through June 5th.
The Sparks have won three WNBA Championships in 2001, 2002 and 2016. They were the first team in the league to win back-to-back titles (only other team is Las Vegas Aces who won 2022/2023). Sparks legend Lisa Leslie was the first woman to dunk in an official WNBA game which took place on July 30, 2002, at Staples Center. The second woman to dunk in game was also a Sparks player—Candace Parker, who did it in back-to-back games on June 22, 2008, and then June 24, 2008.
WNBA In The LBC
The Walter Pyramid offers a unique and intimate setting for WNBA action at an affordable price, with tickets starting at just $15.
This is an exciting opportunity for local fans of the LA Sparks and for families interested in attending a professional basketball game without the hassle of downtown LA traffic. A short ride down Bellflower or Palo Verde will get you close to the action in minutes, which is ideal considering three of the five games are played mid-week. Attend one of the weekday games and you might just spot Coach Lorene Morgan and the Millikan High School basketball team enjoying a game together.
LB908 caught up with Coach Lorene and she shared her enthusiasm for attending a game, “The idea of fitting in one of our workouts at Millikan High School before catching a Sparks’ game at the Walter Pyramid sounds like an ideal way to spend a day. It allows the players to feel connected to both their own training and the broader basketball community in Long Beach. We can just run down to the game! It's a great testament to the vibrant basketball culture in Long Beach and the opportunities it provides for both players and fans alike.”
The Games
The fun kicks off on May 15th with the team’s season opener against the Atlanta Dream. SoCal native Monique Billings will be playing her former team in the first game of the season. Billings was drafted and played for the Dream for 6 seasons. Fresno native Aari McDonald will also be playing against her former team. She was drafted by the Dream #3 overall in 2021.
The May 21st game vs Washington Mystics is set to be an exciting game with a matchup that will include Karlie Samuelson, former Los Angeles Spark. Last season, Samuelson ranked sixth in the WNBA in three-point percentage, shooting .426 percent from three.
Friday, May 24th vs Indiana Fever will be another thrilling face-off. Fever were the lucky winners of the WNBA Draft Lottery in December and earned the No. 1 overall pick while the Sparks have the No. 2 pick. The top two players coming out of college will potentially be facing off for the first time at this game.
The Sparks will have one weekend game on Sunday, May 26th at 6pm vs Dallas Wings. For busy local families, this may be the best option to experience the intensity and intimacy of professional women’s basketball at the Walter Pyramid. Consider this game as an ideal team building outing for your youth sports group.
LA Sparks will play the Minnesota Lynx for their final game at the Walter Pyramid on June 5th. This game is part of the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup, which is an in-season tournament throughout the league. Teams face off against their conference competitors, and the top two teams with the best records go on to play in the championship game which will be held on June 25th. This is the 4th year the Commissioner’s Cup has taken place.
“Playing at Walter Pyramid is an exciting opportunity to showcase Los Angeles Sparks basketball in Long Beach to start our 2024 season. We look forward to partnering with our Long Beach fan base to create an electrifying and fun atmosphere for our games,” quotes Head Coach Curt Miller. Coach Miller is entering his second season with the Sparks and 9th in the WNBA. He has been awarded Coach of the Year twice in 2017 and 2021.
SoCal Roots
The Sparks roster boasts three SoCal natives this season who are excited to perform for fans they have developed in front of, in their pursuit of professional sports. Aari McDonald grew up in Fresno and went to Brookside Christian High School. Monique Billings grew up in Corona and went to Santiago High School. She then went on to play at UCLA from 2014-2018. “I’m from the Inland empire, and I’ve played basketball all throughout the SoCal area over the years. I’ve felt how supportive fans can be and can’t wait to see that in Long Beach this summer. I know my family will be there and look forward to seeing others there as well!” exclaims Monique. Lastly, Layshia Clarendon was born and raised in San Bernardino (2009 California Ms. Basketball Girls State Player of the Year), graduated from Cajon High School and played college ball at UC Berkeley.
SPRING INTO ACTION!
We at LB908 are looking forward to experiencing the excitement of WNBA at Walter Pyramid. Check out our social media @LB908 for behind-the-scenes access of the action and other LA Sparks updates as the May 15th season opener draws near.
Interested in attending all 5 games? Scan the QR code now to secure the best selection of seats in the 5-Game Mini Plan for just $200 per pack (plus $21 ticket fee).
Questions?
Contact Emilia Lopez
elopez@la-sparks.com | 310-739-3581
