Zia Cooke help the Sparks come from behind to beat the Mercury 94-71

Los Angeles Sparks #1 Zia Cooke (G) calling out a play on the court. Photo by Jevone Moore

LOS ANGELES, CA - Los Angeles Sparks' rookie Zia Cooke (South Carolina) was on fire in the second quarter, 5 for 5, from the floor scoring 14 points to help defeat the Phoenix Mercury 94-71 in their season opener at the Crypto.com Arena.

Nneka Ogwumike led the Sparks in scoring with 17 points, Chiney Ogwumike with 15 points, Lexie Brown with 14 points, and Karlie Samuelson with 13 points.

The season opener for Los Angeles had many stars in attendance, Magic Johnson, Pau Gasol, Byron Scott, Robert Horry, Billie Jean King, and Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham. Vice President Kamala Harris visited both teams in their locker rooms before the game.

Phoenix led 7-0 with a hook shot by Brittney Griner in the paint in the first quarter. Nneka Ogwumike's layup had the Sparks trailing 7-2.

With back-to-back baskets by Lexi Brown and a three-pointer by Karlie Samuelson, the Sparks trailed by three points, 20-17, forcing the Mercury to call a timeout.

Zia Cooke tied the game 22-22 in the second quarter after being fouled on her layup and free throw. Taurasi would give the Mercury a 28-25 lead with her three-point shot. Grinner would tie the game 30-30 with a jump shot.

Phoenix Mercury #3 Diana Taurasi (G) driving to the basket for a layup. Photo by Jevone Moore.

Cooke would give the Sparks a 36-30 lead after making a layup and a free throw after being fouled. Phoenix was down by one point, 36-35, with a layup by Taurasi.

Nneka Ogwumike drove to the basket for a layup and fouled by Grinner, and made her free throw to give the Sparks a 43-37 with 2:56 left before halftime.

Cooke was cooking after knocking down another three-pointer to give the Sparks a 48-39 lead. Jordin Canada's jump shot gave the Sparks a 54-41 lead at halftime.

The Sparks led 57-41 with a three-pointer by Brown in the third quarter. Chiney Ogwumike's three-pointer at the top of the key gave the Sparks a 64-43 lead forcing the Mercury to call a timeout.

Los Angeles Sparks #30 Nneka Ogwumike (F) one handed shot in the paint. Photo by Jevone Moore.

Samuelson would make a three-pointer from the right side of the basket to push the Sparks' lead up to 71-49. Grinner posting-up in the paint and was fouled on her shot and made her free throw, making the score 73-55 at the end of the third quarter.

Derica Hamby slashed to the basket for a layup giving the Sparks a 75-57 lead in the fourth quarter. Nneka Ogwumike stole the ball from Taurasi and went down the court for a layup giving the Sparks a 78-57.

Phoenix would trail 78-62 with a three-point jump shot by Michaela Onyenwere. The Sparks would cruise the rest of the way to pick up the win for their new head coach Curt Miller and coaching staff.

Griner led Phoenix in scoring with 18 points, Moriah Jefferson with 16 points, and Diana Taurasi with 15 points.

Los Angeles next game will be on Thursday to take on the WNBA defending champions Las Vegas Aces at Crypto.com Arena.