WNBA Canada Game: LA Sparks vs Seattle Storm — Preview, How to Watch, and more
The WNBA brings its second game to Canada Saturday with a preseason match between the Seattle Storm and LA Sparks.
Canada is hosting its second WNBA game this upcoming weekend as the Seattle Storm and LA Sparks tip off in Edmonton.
After the wild success of last year’s game in Toronto, the league decided to bring another preseason WNBA game back north. Luckily again this year, there is another Canadian set to suit up to play on home soil, after Bridget Carleton got to represent for the Minnesota Lynx last year.
"It's exciting for us. We hope to go to Canada and learn about our team, but also that there is a girl that watches that game in person, and walks out with a new fire in her belly about women's basketball"
— chelsea leite (@chelsealeite) May 1, 2024
LA Sparks GM Raegan Pebley on the upcoming game in Edmonton@Winsidr
Canada’s own Kia Nurse will be playing for the LA Sparks in Edmonton — her first time suiting up for the Sparks after being traded to LA in the offseason.
When it comes to playing in Canada, Nurse says she’s excited, noting that despite playing for the Canadian National team, they don’t get many chances to actually play in Canada.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to play on home soil. People don't realize that even when you play for [Team Canada] you don't really get the chance to play at home. I can count the number of times I've played a tournament in Canada"
— chelsea leite (@chelsealeite) May 1, 2024
-Kia Nurse@Winsidr | #WNBACanadaGame
The game being held in Edmonton also has a few special ties to Canadian women’s basketball. The city is the official home to the Canadian Women’s National team, and often hosts the team for camps and training. Edmonton is also home to the Edmonton Grads, the first professional women’s basketball team in Canada who went on to win the 1924 Paris Olympics.
Nurse herself also has some personal ties to Edmonton, as her brother Darnell Nurse plays for the Edmonton Oilers. Nurse’s cousin Sarah also plays for Toronto’s PWHL team, and now Nurse will get her first chance to play a professional game in Canada.
LA’s head coach Curt Miller also has ties to the Nurse family — not only does he now coach Kia on the Sparks, but he also coached her older sister Tamika in college and her aunt.
On the other side of the court, the Seattle Storm are excited to suit up for their first game with their revamped roster. After signing Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike in the offseason, the Storm will be back in the top ranks of the WNBA after not making the playoffs last season.
Storm head coach Noelle Quinn also serves as the Lead Assistant Coach for the Canadian Women’s National team, and brings her WNBA perspective to the international game. Quinn says she loves being a part of the Canada Basketball organization and considers herself an “honorary Canadian” now.
"I've learned so much with being with Canada Basketball, coaching on the international level. I would like to shout out Canada Basketball. They've been amazing, and Canada in general. I'm a fellow Canadian now."
— chelsea leite (@chelsealeite) April 29, 2024
-Noelle Quinn@Winsidr | @CanBball | #WNBA
While this game does not have any impact on either team’s season records, it will be a fun event and a chance for fans in Edmonton to get a taste of professional women’s basketball. The hope is that a permanent WNBA team comes to Toronto in the future as the league prepares to continue to expand and create more franchises.
"I know the history of the Edmonton Grads and what they did for the city. We are presently reaping the benefits of the seeds that were planted by the ones that came before us. To be in Edmonton in an amazing community, knowing that I'm Canadian, right? It means a lot."@Winsidr
— chelsea leite (@chelsealeite) April 29, 2024
There are currently rumours of a renewed bid for a team in Toronto, as Larry Tanenbaum’s Kilmer Sports Group seems to be at the forefront of that effort.
Another effort the WNBA and NBA Canada are making to give Canadians unique opportunities to support the league is the WNBA Goods Initiative. Local Canadian entrepreneurs had the opportunity to partner with the league to make licensed merchandise to sell to Canadians.
Had the opportunity to visit the @NBACanada offices today to check out the WNBA Goods products that were created ahead of the Edmonton Game! Stunning art, delicious treats, cute and functional decor, apparel and way more!@Winsidr | #WNBA pic.twitter.com/YUwOgd2ZIv
— chelsea leite (@chelsealeite) April 25, 2024
Everything from apparel, to home decor, to sweet treats and art are being sold on WNBACanadaGame.com — and every contributor is a Canadian artist or entrepreneur. These products are available for purchase and shipment throughout Canada.
If you’re not in Edmonton, you can still watch the game on Saturday at 7:30pm MT/9:30pmET on TSN or WNBA League Pass internationally.
The WNBA regular season tips off in just one week’s time and it is expected to be one of the most exciting seasons in the league’s history.