Los Angeles Sparks’ Candace Parker named WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week
Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks has been named as WNBA’s Western Conference ‘Player of the Week’ today for the games played from Monday, August 15 through Sunday, August 21. The Sparks forward has received the honour for
the very first time this season and for the fifth time overall in her four WNBA seasons.
The 6 ft 4 in forward returned to the floor last week after missing 15 games with a torn lateral meniscus in her right knee and more than made up for her absence.
In four contests, the versatile forward averaged 18.5 points, and 8.2 rebounds per game. The player marshalled the Sparks to a 2-2 record during the week with key wins over the Eastern Conference-leading Indiana Fever and Tulsa
Shock. The University of Tennessee product ranked third in the West in field goal percentage on a 26 of 46 shooting and tied for third in three-point shooting on 8 of 12 from downtown.
Parker, the 2008 league MVP, was averaging 17.7 points and 9.9 rebounds when she was hurt. However, she is now averaging 18.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game and ranked is sixth in the WNBA
in double-doubles.
Here is an overview of the terrific performances of Parker during the previous week:
August 16 vs. Atlanta Dream
Parker recorded her fifth double-double of this season in her return to the line-up after her injury. The Naperville, IL native poured in 15 points to go along with a team-high 10 rebounds and three assists in New York’s 84-79
defeat to the Eastern Conference defending champions Atlanta Dream.
The forward player shot 5 for 7 from the field, including 2 for 3 from three-point range, and 3 for 6 from free throw line in more than 26 minutes.
Angel McCoughtry of the Atlanta praised the great comeback of Parker and said, “It's a whole different team with her coming back.”
August 18 vs. Indiana Fever
Two days later, in a 75-70 home victory over Indiana Fever, Parker raked up 18 points on 5 for 11 shooting from the floor. The player also grabbed six rebounds and dished out five assists in the victory. Parker also pinned 7 of
12 free throws.
August 20 vs. Minnesota Lynx
At Target Center, the 25-year-old led all the scorers with 18 points in Dream’s 87-68 loss to the league-leading Minnesota Lynx. Parker also contributed eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. She ended with 7 for 14 from
the field, hitting 3 for 3 beyond the arc.
August 21 vs. Tulsa Shock
Parker’s most impressive effort was put in this past Sunday night in a defiant 73-67 road victory over the league-worse Tulsa. The WNBA All-Star for 2011 scored a game-high 23 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Parker also stole
the ball twice and blocked two shots of Tulsa. She was 9 for 14 from the field.
Other Nominees
The other candidates for the weekly honours were Chicago Sky’s Sylvia Fowles, Indiana Fever’s Tamika Catchings, New York Liberty’s Cappie Pondexter, Phoenix Mercury’s Penny Taylor, Seattle Storm’s Sue Bird and Washington Mystics’
Crystal Langhorne.
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