In a WNBA pre-season game held at Rogers Place, Canadian Kia Nurse, playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, had a standout performance, scoring nine points in 19 minutes as her team defeated the Seattle Storm 84-79 in front of a crowd of 16,655 fans. Nurse, who is a Hamilton native and a star on the Canadian national team, expressed feeling nervous before the game due to the magnitude of the audience and the significance of playing on Canadian soil. She acknowledged the growth of women’s sports in Canada and the impact it has on propelling the sport forward.
Nurse, as the only Canadian player on the floor, received a loud ovation during pre-game introductions and delivered a short speech to the crowd before the game. Sparks coach Curt Miller shared that the team had planned a set play to get Nurse the ball for the first points of the game, showing confidence in her abilities. The game marked the second consecutive season of a sold-out WNBA exhibition game in Canada, indicating a growing interest in women’s basketball in the country.
There are reports that Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum aims to secure a Toronto franchise before the 2025 season, reflecting the desire for a WNBA team in Canada. Nurse, along with her American WNBA peers, expressed support for adding more teams to the league, which would create more opportunities for players and enhance the competitiveness of the league. The game featured strong performances from players like Joyner Holmes, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Cameron Brink, with each showcasing their skills on the court.
The game was a close contest, with the Sparks ultimately securing the victory as the Storm had opportunities to tie the game in the final minutes but were unable to convert their shots. Nurse, who has a special connection to Edmonton as it is the home base for the Canadian women’s national team and because her brother, Darnell Nurse, plays for the Edmonton Oilers, expressed gratitude for the support from her family in attendance. The game began with a moment of silence for murdered and missing Indigenous women, highlighting the importance of social issues within sports.
Overall, the WNBA pre-season game in Canada showcased the growing popularity of women’s basketball in the country and the enthusiasm from fans for a possible WNBA team in Toronto. The performance of players like Nurse, along with the support from her teammates and the crowd, demonstrated the potential for further growth and success in women’s sports in Canada. With the prospect of expanding the league and adding more teams, the WNBA continues to evolve and capture the attention of fans worldwide.
