Achi news desk-
Canada’s Kia Nurse had some nerves going into Saturday’s WNBA preseason contest at Rogers Place.
The Hamilton native and Canadian national team star had nine points in 19 minutes of action as his Los Angeles Sparks held on to beat the Seattle Storm 84-79 in front of 16,655 fans.
“I was nervous before, to be honest,” said Nurse. “That’s a lot of people, and I spent a lot of time building my career here in Canada, from the jump all the way through high school. And being in a packed arena for a WNBA game on Canadian soil is not something you put on the table of your dreams as a child.
“So to be in this position now, to see how things have changed, and how it’s driving women’s sport forward, and especially in Canada, it’s really special.”
As the only Canadian on the floor, Nurse got the loudest roar during pre-game introductions. He gave a short pre-match speech to the crowd before the match.
Sparks coach Curt Miller said his team called a layup right off the jump ball that would try to get the ball into Nurse’s hands so he could score the game’s first points. While Nyrs missed from three point range, he said the way he handled the pressure was special.
“I’m very proud of her,” Miller said. “I have an incredible connection with their family. Kia looked confident. We ran the first play because we wanted her to score the first basket here in Canada.
“I know it was such an emotional night for her. It was really special for her. She is the face of their national team.”
It was the second straight season that the WNBA exhibition game was held in Canada and sold out. Saturday’s contest followed a sold-out game at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena in 2023.
Reports have said Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum is aiming to secure the Toronto franchise before the 2025 season.
“Canada wants a WNBA team,” Nurse said. “That’s very obvious. It’s been something they’ve basically been screaming at the top of their lungs about.”
Nurse’s sentiments were echoed by her American WNBA compatriots.
“I think it’s amazing,” said Storm guard Joyner Holmes, who finished with 13 points. “My journey is a bit different, I’ve been cut from teams. So adding teams and lists will help those who have had experiences like mine… And expand to places like this? It’s going to be lit.”
“We’re adding Golden State next year, so we’re going to have 13 (teams),” said Skylar Diggins-Smith, who paced the Storm with 14 points and five assists. “So it would be nice to reach an even number of teams.”
Diggins-Smith said the Storm players were “screaming our lungs out so we could communicate with each other.”
Dearica Hamby led the Sparks with 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Cameron Brink, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, scored her first basket as a member of the Sparks midway through the first quarter.
Brink, who finished with 11 points, hit her first three-pointer 1:30 into the third quarter. The center won a standing ovation as she denied Jade Melbourne’s attempt to set up a place later in the second half.
With the Sparks leading 82-79 in the final minutes, the Storm had two chances to tie. But Melbourne spurred its three-point attempt, and Kiana Williams’ three-point shot was missed.
Nia Clouden hit two late free throws to ice the game for Los Angeles.
On Saturday morning, the two teams held their shootouts while the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers were on ice at the Downtown Community Arena, which is part of the Rogers Place complex.
As Nurse saw the Oilers come off the ice, they shared hugs. Her brother is Edmonton defender Darnell Nurse, who was courtside Saturday night with his family.
Kia Nurse said Edmonton is a special place for her because it is home to the Canadian women’s national team and she is also an Oilers fan.
“This is a very special arena,” he said. I don’t see them as often as they are always here when I’m home and vice versa.”
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on May 4, 2024.
