Sparks leave battle of the rookies with a defeat

Three of the top four picks from this year’s draft were playing in the Sparks vs. Fever game and while all players showed signs of promise, they also showed that great rookies are still rookies.

LOS ANGELES — Potential is a dangerous thing. It can convince you the best-case scenario is the most logical and create blind spots in your assessment that otherwise wouldn’t happen.

There was plenty of buzz inside Crypto.com Arena as the Sparks and Fever were set to play on Friday. A record 19,103 fans were in attendance, excited to see the No. 1 pick, Caitlin Clark, in her only game in Los Angeles, as well as the Sparks’ No. 2 pick, Cameron Brink and No. 4 pick, Rickea Jackson.

Prior to tip-off Curt Miller discussed this future class.

“Time will tell the story. I don’t think they have to shoutout their own stories,” Miller said. “Time will tell. I think we’ll look back years from now and realize how productive how talented this rookie class is. I’m excited for the league.”

Fans may have been watching the future of the league, but they were also watching two teams that were a combined 1-8 heading into the game. Again, the potential is there and excitement is valid, but the actual play on the court leaves a lot to be desired.

Clark was abysmal heading into the fourth quarter, going 2-10 from the field. Yes, she contributed in other ways, but her team was down, her offense was absent and her defense... I mean, the next time I see a Clark defensive highlight, would also be the first.

Brink started off well, scoring six points, but then she disappeared offensively. She also got in foul trouble, a trend that has persisted in almost every game this season. Her having to sit with four fouls for most of the third quarter can be seen as the biggest reason the Sparks lost control of the game.

Jackson was the only rookie who was playing above and beyond people's expectations of her. She entered the final frame with 14 points, leading the Sparks in bench scoring once again and had only missed one basket.

The allure of what Clark and Brink can be is enticing, but the player Jackson has been night in and night out in this early part of the season is real and better than the lottery picks drafted in front of her.

In the closing quarter, fans got the show they paid to see. Brink played all 10 minutes and scored nine points, Jackson stayed on the floor and was net-positive and Clark hit a pair of clutch 3-pointers to seal the win 78-73 for the Fever.

Clark won her first WNBA game and did so in Hollywood style. The crowd erupted when those deep threes went in and it sounded like a home game for Indiana instead of one in Los Angeles. Stars like Ashton Kutcher were sitting courtside cheering Clark on as the Sparks took their third loss in four matchups.

After the game, she walked off the floor to ovations as fans hung around to cheer the top pick. There were many different fans inside Crypto Friday night including plenty wearing Fever 22 jerseys and lots donning Hawkeyes merch.

The hoopla of the “Caitlin Clark effect” may be over and done with in Los Angeles but the aftershocks of her impact will remain.

Fans were excited to see her, she helped break attendance records and while the rookies may not be ready to win now, they certainly got next.

“I’m so excited to see the fanbase back, excited to see Crypto filled to the rafters, third deck open,” Miller said postgame. “It’s just amazing for us and women’s basketball in general. I hope that despite the result we’ll get people back.”

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.