Canada’s Nurse helps lift Sparks past Storm in WNBA pre-season action in Edmonton
Global News
Canadian Kia Nurse had nine points in 19 minutes of action as her Los Angeles Sparks held on to beat the Seattle Storm at Roger Place on Saturday.
Canadian Kia Nurse had some nerves entering Saturday’s 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.
“I was nervous before, in all honesty,” Nurse said. “That’s 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.
“So to be in this situation now, to see how things have changed, and how it’s propelling women’s sports forward, and particularly in Canada, it’s really, really special.”
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 Nurse’s 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.
“I’m just really proud of her,” said Miller. “I’m 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.
“I know it was such an emotional night for her. It was truly special for her. She’s the face of their national team.”