While the NBA continues to be at odds over its financial future, the WNBA is proving that pro basketball is still being played at a high level. On July 28, rolling out sports was on hand at Philips Arena as the Atlanta Dream battled against the L.A. Sparks.
The first thing that’s noticeable about a WNBA game is the crowd’s passion for the game. The fans at Philips Arena remained enthusiastic throughout the entire game and were often as loud as the crowds that attend high school and college basketaball games.
On the court, the women of the WNBA got game. Although there isn’t any dunking, the women can crossover and shoot the basketball in amazing fashion. Coached by Kobe Bryant’s father Joe Bryant, the Sparks got off to a fast start in the first quarter. But the Dream used scrappy defense to tie the score and take a 45-41 lead at halftime.
After a tightly contested third quarter, the Dream were able to pull away from the Sparks in the fourth quarter behind the play of WNBA All-Star Angel McCoughtry. McCoughtry led all scorers with 22 points and also pulled down 11 rebounds.
The Dream are now 8-9 and back in the playoff race after starting season near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.–amir shaw
