Candace Parker landed awkwardly and turned her ankle during warmups Tuesday ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks’ first semifinals game against the Phoenix Mercury. She went to the locker room immediately after, but came out to start the game for L.A. anyway.
Candace Parker injures ankle in warmups, still starts for Sparks vs. Mercury in Game 1
This was a freak injury, and Parker is playing with a slight limp.
The injury is clearly bothering her, as she was seen muttering curses under her breath after a made shot in the first quarter. She’s walking with a slight limp, and there’s no telling if she’ll play the entire game. But she’s playing through it for now.
It was a bizarre injury, and the sort of freak incident that almost never happens. The timing couldn’t be any worse. But she’s still moving for now, and that’s good news for L.A.
The Sparks need Parker, their best player, who was a huge part of their championship run last season. She’s averaging 17 points and seven rebounds this season, and is the focal point of L.A.’s offense.
