LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 12: Cheyenne Parker #32 of the Atlanta Dream drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks on August 12, 2023 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

Atlanta fell short against Sparks and Aces, but Cheyenne Parker held her own, scoring 30 points and grabbing 13 boards.  

By: Edwin Garcia

LOS ANGELES: Cheyenne Parker had her plateful going up against Azurá Stevens and Chelsea Gray, but she not only held her own, she shined with 30 points and 13 rebounds, playing all but two minutes in the 85-74 loss to the Sparks, and thirty-one minutes against the Aces. 

Parker did most of her damage against Stevens of the Sparks scoring 10 of her 17 points in a multitude of ways; fronting her to gain positioning in the post, using her footwork and post moves to get an open look, or receiving the ball in the mid-range and beating her off the dribble.

Against the Aces, although not her best scoring performance her numbers still showed consistency; scoring 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.

While her scoring was stifled against the Sparks in the second half, Parker took the second half of the Aces matchup to show consistency, helping to force key turnovers and overall helping the Dream win the battle for points-off-turnover against Las Vegas with 16 over their 7.

While Parker’s play was impressive, it has become the new normal for her as she is in the midst of a career year, earning her first All-Star appearance this season and averaging more points (13.8), rebounds (6.9), and blocks (1.5).

The results may not have led to a victory in either game, but it’s this kind of play Atlanta will need from their All-Star forward as they head into the season’s final quarter. In fact, the Dream will need this kind of play from Parker on Friday, against the Chicago Sky, if the team wants to break their three-game losing streak at home.