Not all the news has been bad this week for the Los Angeles Sparks, who dropped their past two games, both on the road.

Earlier this week, Nneka Ogwumike was named a WNBA All-Star for the eighth time in her career, including the second straight year as a starter. She’s averaging 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds.

“It’s one of the ultimate honors,” Ogwumike said, according to the team’s website. “Being named a starter or an All-Star is always a blessing.”

For now, the focus for Ogwumike and the Sparks is on getting back on track, something they hope to do Sunday in a road game against the Atlanta Dream.

Los Angeles (7-9) is just 2-5 on the road after losing 86-78 Friday in Chicago. The Sky also defeated the Sparks on Wednesday on their home court.

Atlanta (6-8) won 94-89 over Washington on Friday night for just its second home win of the season.

Allisha Gray scored 26 points and has been a leader for the Dream all season.

“She’s somebody who just basically puts on her hard hat and goes to work and just does what she does,” Atlanta coach Tanisha Wright said. “She did that all throughout training camp. There were times I was like ‘Oh, this isn’t noticeable.’ But when you got back and you watch the tape, you see all the little plays ‘Leesh’ was making.”

Gray, traded to Atlanta in January, has been effective all year, averaging 18.3 points per outing while grabbing 5.3 rebounds and dishing out 2.9 assists. She leads the Dream in scoring and on Saturday, was named to her first All-Star Game as a reserve.

As for the Sparks, it’s been Ogwumike who has paved the way. She had 14 points on Friday night.

The Sparks could be without Jordin Canada on Sunday after she left Friday’s loss with a shoulder injury and did not return. Canada is averaging 13.0 points and leads Los Angeles with 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals.

–Field Level Media