Sparks Fly: The 2012 Season Unveiled
An analytical deep dive into the Los Angeles Sparks' 2012 campaign, from draft day to playoff contention.
Season Overview ๐ Game Schedule ๐Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
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Season Overview
Franchise Context
The 2012 season marked the 16th year of the Los Angeles Sparks' participation in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). This season was particularly significant as it represented the inaugural year under the leadership of Head Coach Carol Ross, signaling a new strategic direction for the franchise.
Season Timeline
The team's competitive journey commenced on May 18, 2012, with an away game against the Seattle Storm at KeyArena. The season concluded on September 15, 2012, with a matchup against the Minnesota Lynx. The Sparks achieved a commendable regular season record of 24 wins and 10 losses, securing second place in the Western Conference standings.
Postseason Performance
Following a strong regular season, the Sparks advanced to the postseason. They successfully navigated the Western Conference Semifinals, defeating the San Antonio Silver Stars. However, their playoff run concluded in the Western Conference Finals, where they were ultimately eliminated by the Minnesota Lynx, narrowly missing a chance to compete for the WNBA Championship.
Transactions & Personnel
WNBA Draft Selections
The Sparks made several key acquisitions through the 2012 WNBA Draft, strategically building their roster. Their selections included promising talent aimed at bolstering both immediate performance and future potential.
Key Transactions
Throughout the season, the Sparks engaged in several strategic player movements, including trades and signings, to optimize their roster composition and address team needs. These transactions were crucial in shaping the team's performance throughout the campaign.
Personnel Changes
The Sparks saw significant activity in player acquisitions and departures. Key additions included established players like Alana Beard and Nicky Anosike, alongside draft picks. Notable subtractions involved experienced players such as Noelle Quinn, Ticha Penicheiro, and Tina Thompson, indicating a period of roster evolution.
Team Roster
Starting Lineup & Bench
The Sparks featured a strong core of players, anchored by star talent like Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike. The roster was strategically assembled with a mix of established veterans and promising newcomers, aiming for a balanced attack and solid defense throughout the season.
Western Conference Standings
Final Regular Season Placement
The Los Angeles Sparks concluded the regular season with a strong performance, securing second place in the highly competitive Western Conference. This positioning guaranteed them a playoff berth and a favorable seeding for the postseason tournament.
Game Schedule & Results
Preseason Engagements
The Sparks commenced their 2012 season with preseason matchups designed to evaluate talent and refine team strategy before the official start of the regular season.
Game | Date | Time (ET) | Opponent | TV | Score | High Points | High Rebounds | High Assists | Location/Attendance | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sat 5 | 7:00 | China | 98โ71 | Ogwumike (20) | Ogwumike (11) | 4 players (5) | Pasadena City College 1,073 |
1โ0 | |
2 | Thu 10 | 10:30 | Japan | 95โ77 | Ogwumike (17) | Lavender / Ogwumike (6) | Zoll (6) | LA Southwest College 950 |
2โ0 | |
3 | Sun 13 | 5:00 | @ Seattle | 60โ61 | Coleman (11) | Ogwumike (7) | Zoll (8) | KeyArena 4,628 |
2โ1 |
Regular Season Progression
The Sparks navigated a demanding regular season schedule, marked by crucial wins and challenging road games. Their performance fluctuated, but they consistently maintained a strong position within the Western Conference.
Game | Date | Time (ET) | Opponent | TV | Score | High Points | High Rebounds | High Assists | Location/Attendance | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fri 18 | 10:00 | @ Seattle | NBATV / KDOC | 72โ66 | Toliver (25) | Milton-Jones (7) | Toliver (6) | KeyArena 9,686 |
1โ0 |
2 | Tue 22 | 10:30 | Seattle | KDOC / KONG | 74โ61 | Parker (21) | Parker (10) | Parker / Toliver (4) | Staples Center 9,238 |
2โ0 |
3 | Thu 24 | 8:00 | @ Minnesota | 84โ92 | Parker / Toliver (23) | Ogwumike (9) | Toliver (4) | Target Center 7,923 |
2โ1 | |
4 | Sat 26 | 10:00 | @ Phoenix | KDOC | 99โ88 | Parker (27) | Parker (11) | Beard / Toliver (4) | US Airways Center 10,200 |
3โ1 |
5 | Tue 29 | 10:30 | Tulsa | TWC101 | 76โ75 | Milton-Jones / Toliver (16) | Parker (10) | Toliver (5) | Staples Center 8,312 |
4โ1 |
Game | Date | Time (ET) | Opponent | TV | Score | High Points | High Rebounds | High Assists | Location/Attendance | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | Sun 3 | 8:30 | Seattle | KDOC / KONG | 67โ65 | Toliver (23) | Parker (13) | Toliver (7) | Staples Center 12,639 |
5โ1 |
7 | Fri 8 | 11:00 | Phoenix | TWC101 | 90โ74 | Ogwumike (25) | Ogwumike (12) | Toliver (9) | Staples Center 11,198 |
6โ1 |
8 | Wed 13 | 8:00 | @ Connecticut | ESPN2 | 87โ81 | Parker (33) | Parker (16) | Parker (8) | Mohegan Sun Arena 6,058 |
7โ1 |
9 | Fri 15 | 7:30 | @ Atlanta | SSO | 59โ92 | Ogwumike (13) | Ogwumike (10) | Coleman (4) | Philips Arena 8,872 |
7โ2 |
10 | Sat 16 | 8:00 | @ San Antonio | KDOC / FS-SW | 85โ98 (OT) | Beard (23) | Parker / Lavender (11) | Toliver (5) | AT&T Center 8,234 |
7โ3 |
11 | Mon 18 | 10:30 | Washington | TWC101 | 101โ70 | Ogwumike (24) | Parker (8) | Toliver (6) | Staples Center 8,612 |
8โ3 |
12 | Wed 20 | 10:30 | Tulsa | TWC101 | 95โ79 | Parker (33) | Parker (8) | Toliver (6) | Staples Center 8,388 |
9โ3 |
13 | Sat 23 | 8:00 | @ Phoenix | ESPN | 93โ84 | Toliver (29) | Lavender (9) | Toliver (4) | US Airways Center 9,670 |
10โ3 |
14 | Sun 24 | 8:30 | San Antonio | KDOC | 71โ91 | Parker (15) | Parker (15) | Beard (4) | Staples Center 11,301 |
10โ4 |
15 | Tue 26 | 8:00 | @ Tulsa | 75โ91 | Toliver (21) | Ogwumike / Lavender (7) | Toliver (7) | BOK Center 4,102 |
10โ5 | |
16 | Thu 28 | 12:30 | @ San Antonio | FS-SW | 80โ94 | Parker (25) | Parker (13) | Beard (10) | AT&T Center 15,184 |
10โ6 |
Game | Date | Time (ET) | Opponent | TV | Score | High Points | High Rebounds | High Assists | Location/Attendance | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Summer Olympic break | ||||||||||
17 | Thu 5 | 3:00 | Minnesota | NBATV / TWC101 | 96โ90 | Toliver (29) | Parker (13) | Toliver (6) | Staples Center 11,256 |
11โ6 |
18 | Sat 7 | 10:00 | Seattle | ESPN2 | 83โ59 | Toliver (23) | Parker (14) | Parker (7) | Staples Center 12,229 |
12โ6 |
19 | Sun 8 | 8:30 | Atlanta | NBATV / KDOC | 79โ63 | Toliver (19) | Parker (12) | Beard (7) | Staples Center 11,019 |
13โ6 |
20 | Tue 10 | 3:30 | @ Phoenix | 90โ71 | Parker (22) | Ogwumike / Parker (14) | Beard (7) | US Airways Center 9,336 |
14โ6 | |
21 | Thu 12 | 7:00 | @ Indiana | ESPN2 | 77โ74 | Ogwumike (22) | Ogwumike (20) | Toliver (4) | Bankers Life Fieldhouse 7,244 |
15โ6 |
Game | Date | Time (ET) | Opponent | TV | Score | High Points | High Rebounds | High Assists | Location/Attendance | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Summer Olympic break | ||||||||||
22 | Sat 18 | 10:00 | @ Seattle | NBATV / KDOC | 82โ71 | Toliver (22) | Parker (12) | Toliver (5) | KeyArena 9,127 |
16โ6 |
23 | Tue 21 | 10:30 | Indiana | TWC101 | 79โ69 | Toliver (21) | Ogwumike (10) | Beard / Milton-Jones (5) | Staples Center 8,402 |
17โ6 |
24 | Thu 23 | 10:30 | San Antonio | TWC101 | 101โ77 | Toliver (29) | Parker (10) | Parker / Toliver (6) | Staples Center 8,696 |
18โ6 |
25 | Sat 25 | 10:30 | New York | NBATV / TWC101 | 87โ62 | Toliver (29) | Ogwumike (7) | Ogwumike (5) | Staples Center 12,433 |
19โ6 |
26 | Thu 30 | 8:00 | @ Tulsa | 85โ99 | Toliver (21) | Milton-Jones (7) | Toliver (8) | BOK Center 5,275 |
19โ7 |
Game | Date | Time (ET) | Opponent | TV | Score | High Points | High Rebounds | High Assists | Location/Attendance | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
27 | Sun 2 | 6:00 | @ Chicago | KDOC / CN100 | 74โ85 | Toliver (19) | Parker (9) | Ogwumike (6) | Allstate Arena 6,197 |
19โ8 |
28 | Tue 4 | 8:00 | @ Minnesota | NBATV | 77โ88 | Beard (17) | Lavender (8) | Toliver (6) | Target Center 8,123 |
19โ9 |
29 | Fri 7 | 7:00 | @ Washington | CSN-MA | 96โ68 | Parker / Toliver (18) | Parker (9) | Parker (8) | Verizon Center 7,468 |
20โ9 |
30 | Sun 9 | 4:00 | @ New York | KDOC / MSG | 71โ73 | Toliver (17) | Parker (15) | Toliver (4) | Prudential Center 7,357 |
20โ10 |
31 | Thu 13 | 10:30 | Chicago | NBATV / TWC101 / CN100 | 86โ77 | Ogwumike (30) | Ogwumike (11) | Parker (5) | Staples Center 8,489 |
21โ10 |
32 | Fri 14 | 11:00 | Connecticut | NBATV / TWC101 / CPTV-S | 93โ82 | Parker (23) | Parker (10) | Toliver (6) | Staples Center 10,503 |
22โ10 |
33 | Tue 18 | 10:30 | Phoenix | NBATV / TWC101 | 101โ76 | Parker (26) | Parker (11) | Parker (7) | Staples Center 8,579 |
23โ10 |
34 | Thu 20 | 10:30 | Minnesota | NBATV / TWC101 | 92โ76 | Ogwumike / Parker (22) | Ogwumike / Parker (11) | Toliver (8) | Staples Center 10,217 |
24โ10 |
Postseason Battles
The Sparks entered the postseason as the second seed in the Western Conference, facing tough competition. Their playoff journey showcased resilience and high-level play against formidable opponents.
Game | Date | Time (ET) | Opponent | TV | Score | High Points | High Rebounds | High Assists | Location/Attendance | Series |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 27 | 10:00 | San Antonio | ESPN2 | 93โ86 | Toliver (29) | Parker (9) | Beard (3) | Galen Center 5,013 |
1โ0 |
2 | September 29 | 3:00 | @ San Antonio | NBATV | 101โ94 | Parker (32) | Parker (9) | Parker (6) | Freeman Coliseum 5,293 |
2โ0 |
Game | Date | Time (ET) | Opponent | TV | Score | High Points | High Rebounds | High Assists | Location/Attendance | Series |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | October 4 | 8:00 | @ Minnesota | ESPN2 | 77โ94 | Parker (25) | Parker (11) | Parker (4) | Target Center 8,513 |
0โ1 |
2 | October 7 | 3:30 | Minnesota | ABC | 79โ80 | Parker (33) | Parker (15) | Beard (7) | Staples Center 10,791 |
0โ2 |
Player Statistics
Statistical Breakdown
The following tables provide a detailed statistical overview of the Los Angeles Sparks' performance during the 2012 season. Key metrics include games played (GP), games started (GS), minutes per game (MPG), shooting percentages (FG%, 3P%, FT%), and per-game averages for rebounds (RPG), assists (APG), steals (SPG), blocks (BPG), and points (PPG).
The following table details the regular season statistics for individual players:
Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|
Awards & Honors
Recognition and Accolades
The provided source material indicates that the section detailing specific awards and honors received by players or the team during the 2012 season is currently empty. Further details would typically be found in official team records or sports archives.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional sports analysis or advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional sports commentary, statistical analysis, or team management consultation. Always refer to official WNBA sources and consult with qualified sports professionals for specific insights.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.