Canadian Kia Nurse had some nerves entering Saturday91裸聊视频檚 WNBA pre-season contest at Rogers Place.
The Hamilton native and Canadian national team star had nine points in 19 minutes of action as her Los Angeles Sparks held on to beat the Seattle Storm 84-79 in front of 16,655 fans.
91裸聊视频淚 was nervous before, in all honesty,91裸聊视频� Nurse said. 91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 a lot people, and I spent a lot of time building my career here in Canada, from the jump all the way through high school. And to be in an arena that is filled for a WNBA game on Canadian soil is not something you put on your dream board as a kid.
91裸聊视频淪o to be in this situation now, to see how things have changed, and how it91裸聊视频檚 propelling women91裸聊视频檚 sports forward, and particularly in Canada, it91裸聊视频檚 really, really special.91裸聊视频�
As the only Canadian on the floor, Nurse received the loudest roar during pre-game introductions. She gave a short pre-game speech to the crowd before the game.
Sparks coach Curt Miller said his team called a set play right off the jump ball that would try to get the ball in Nurse91裸聊视频檚 hands so she could score the first points of the game. While Nurse missed from three-point range, he said the way she handled the pressure was special.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 just really proud of her,91裸聊视频� said Miller. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 unbelievably connected with their family. Kia looked confident. We ran the first play because we wanted her to score the first basket here in Canada.
91裸聊视频淚 know it was such an emotional night for her. It was truly special for her. She91裸聊视频檚 the face of their national team.91裸聊视频�
It was the second straight season a WNBA exhibition game took place and sold out in Canada. Saturday91裸聊视频檚 contest followed a sellout game at Toronto91裸聊视频檚 Scotiabank Arena in 2023.
Reports have said Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum aims to secure a Toronto franchise ahead of the 2025 season.
91裸聊视频淐anada wants a WNBA team,91裸聊视频� said Nurse. 91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 very evident. It91裸聊视频檚 been something they91裸聊视频檝e been basically screaming at the top of their lungs for.91裸聊视频�
Nurse91裸聊视频檚 sentiments were echoed by her American WNBA compatriots.
91裸聊视频淚 think it91裸聊视频檚 amazing,91裸聊视频� said Storm guard Joyner Holmes, who finished with 13 points. 91裸聊视频淢y journey91裸聊视频檚 a little different, I91裸聊视频檝e been cut from teams. So to be adding teams and roster spots will help those who91裸聊视频檝e had experiences like mine 91裸聊视频� And expanding to places like this? It91裸聊视频檚 going to be lit.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e adding Golden State next year, so we91裸聊视频檙e going to have 13 (teams),91裸聊视频� said Skylar Diggins-Smith, who paced the Storm with 14 points and five assists. 91裸聊视频淪o it would be nice to get to an even number of teams.91裸聊视频�
Diggins-Smith said Storm players 91裸聊视频渨ere screaming our lungs out so we could communicate with each other.91裸聊视频�
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 halfway through the first quarter.
Brink, who finished with 11 points, hit her first three-pointer 1:30 into the third quarter. The centre earned a large ovation for her rejection of Jade Melbourne91裸聊视频檚 layup attempt later in the second half.
With the Sparks leading 82-79 in the final minutes, the Storm had two chances to tie. But Melbourne air-balled her three-point attempt, and Kiana Williams91裸聊视频檚 three-point shot rimmed out.
Nia Clouden hit two late free throws to ice the game for Los Angeles.
On Saturday morning, the two teams conducted their shootarounds while the NHL91裸聊视频檚 Edmonton Oilers were on the ice at the Downtown Community Arena, which is part of the Rogers Place complex.
As Nurse saw the Oilers coming off the ice, they shared embraces. Her brother is Edmonton defenceman Darnell Nurse, who was courtside on Saturday night with his family.
Kia Nurse said Edmonton is a special place for her because it91裸聊视频檚 the home base for the Canadian women91裸聊视频檚 national team and is also an Oilers fan.
91裸聊视频淭his is a really special arena,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e been able to see Darnell play quite a few games here and to be able to have him and his kids come to the game today, that91裸聊视频檚 really special because I don91裸聊视频檛 get to see them as often since they91裸聊视频檙e always here when I91裸聊视频檓 home and vice versa.91裸聊视频�
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Steven Sandor, The Canadian Press
