Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker expected to return on Tuesday – WNBA Update
After missing 15 games with a torn lateral meniscus in her right knee, Los Angeles Sparks ace forward Candace Parker thinks she should be able to return to the line-up on Tuesday when the Los Angeles Sparks face the Atlanta Dream
at Staples Center.
Sparks Head Coach Joe Bryant showed confidence in Parker’s return to the court before playoffs and said, “We are beyond excited that Candace is coming back for the stretch run of our season,” “She has worked her tail off to rehab
her knee. It is a testament to Candace’s determination and professionalism.”
Parker injured her right knee in Los Angels’ 77-67 defeat to New York Liberty on June 26 at Prudential Center. The 25-year-old went down because of her inadvertent contact with Liberty’s Quanitra Hollingsworth with around six minutes
to go in the third quarter.
Parker stayed down on the court for few minutes while holding her knee in excruciating pain. The 6 ft 4 in forward then limped off the court and into the locker room. Parker did not return to the floor in the last quarter of the
game. The player recorded a double-double prior to her injury with a team high 16 points and game high 11 rebounds. The 2008 MVP went 7 for 12 from the field in the loss.
Parker left the team at the very crucial time when she was at her peak and the Sparks were expecting some great performances by their leading player. She was averaging 17.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game prior to
her injury. She has played just seven games in this season and recorded double-doubles in four of them. Los Angeles went 5-6 in her absence and are currently standing fifth in the top heavy Western Conference.
However, the Sparks are riding a two-game winning streak now and it will be interesting to see how Parker and Los Angeles mesh upon her return, a team that is three games behind Seattle Storm for the fourth and final playoff spot
in the West.
Tags: