LOS ANGELES — The Sparks and Seattle Storm have long been rivals in the WNBA’s Western Conference.
However, their shared experience with Canadian star Kia Nurse, a two-time Olympic team member, was one of the primary reasons both teams were selected to participate in this year’s WNBA Canada Game.
The familiar foes will mark new territory together, as the three-time WNBA champion Sparks and the four-time WNBA champion Storm will play in the WNBA Canada game May 5 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.
“A variety of different factors, including those two teams and their ownership being willing to travel and play,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said during a Zoom news conference Wednesday. “One of them gives up a home game as a result, but it’s good to have both of these teams with their rich traditions.”
The game will also have several on-court storylines.
The Sparks, who have not made the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, will face former franchise player Nneka Ogwumike, who recently signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Storm.
“I know L.A. has struggled in the last couple of years, but they have a rich history in this league, one of the original teams,” Engelbert said. “They’ll come back to glory, I’m sure.”
The matchup will also be an opportunity for the Sparks’ No. 2 and No. 4 overall draft picks to play on an international stage, less than three weeks after being selected in the WNBA draft on April 15.
“For the Sparks, obviously you see they have the No. 2 and No. 4 pick. I think in this draft that’s going to be really exciting as we get into the conference championships, NCAA (women’s tournament) and as players look to join the WNBA,” Engelbert said. “I think it’s exciting for them to only after a couple of weeks of practice to show on the court up in Edmonton.”
Nurse, acquired via trade with the Storm, is a native of Hamilton, Ontario. The 6-foot guard is a 2019 All-Star and a key player on the Canadian women’s basketball national team that will play in the Paris Olympics this summer.
“One of Canada’s greatest basketball players, Sparks guard Kia Nurse, is returning to play in front of her Canadian fans as my Los Angeles Sparks take on the Seattle Storm in this year’s WNBA Canada Game,” Los Angeles Sparks co-owner Magic Johnson said via a statement. “Showcasing some of the league’s top talent in Canada is a great opportunity to continue building dedicated WNBA fans outside of the U.S. Last year’s game was a sellout and I expect nothing less for the Sparks versus Storm.”
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Storm coach Noelle Quinn, a former Sparks point guard and Los Angeles native, said she’s thrilled to be part of the WNBA Canada Game.
“I’ve been honored to work with the Canadian senior women’s national team and witness firsthand how Canada continues to be out front when it comes to advocating for women and investing in women’s sports,” Quinn said in a statement. “This game represents the growth of women’s basketball both in Canada and on a global stage.”
Last year’s inaugural Canada game featured the Chicago Sky against the Minnesota Lynx in Toronto.