Canadian WNBA player Kia Nurse returned to her home country to play in a pre-season game at Rogers Place, where she scored nine points in 19 minutes of action as her Los Angeles Sparks team beat the Seattle Storm 84-79 in front of a crowd of 16,655. Nurse admitted to feeling nervous before the game but found the experience of playing in Canada to be special and meaningful, especially as the only Canadian on the floor. She received a warm welcome from the fans during pre-game introductions and even gave a short speech to the crowd before tip-off. The Sparks coach, Curt Miller, praised Nurse’s composure under pressure and expressed pride in her performance, highlighting her importance as a key player for the Canadian national team.
The game marked the second consecutive year that a WNBA exhibition game had sold out in Canada, following a similar event in Toronto in 2023. This has sparked discussions about the potential for a WNBA franchise in Toronto, with Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum reportedly aiming to secure a team before the 2025 season. Nurse and other WNBA players expressed support for expanding the league to include more teams, citing the benefits of creating additional roster spots and opportunities for players like themselves. The idea of adding a Toronto franchise received enthusiastic backing from fans and players alike, emphasizing the growing interest and support for women’s basketball in Canada.
During the game, Nurse’s Sparks teammates put on a strong performance, with Dearica Hamby leading the team in scoring and Cameron Brink, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, making an impact with her first basket as a member of the Sparks. Brink received cheers from the crowd for her defensive play and three-point shooting, contributing to the team’s victory over the Storm. In the final minutes of the game, the Storm had opportunities to tie the score but were unable to convert, allowing the Sparks to secure the win. Nurse’s brother, NHL player Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers, was in attendance to support her during the game, adding a special familial connection to the event.
The presence of the Edmonton Oilers and their fans at Rogers Place added to the excitement of the game, as Nurse shared embraces with the hockey players and expressed her appreciation for the city of Edmonton. She noted that Edmonton is not only her brother’s home base but also a significant location for the Canadian national women’s basketball team, making it a particularly meaningful place for her to compete. The game began with a moment of silence for murdered and missing Indigenous women, underscoring the importance of raising awareness and supporting marginalized communities in Canada. Overall, the event was a showcase of the growing popularity and significance of women’s basketball in the country.
The WNBA players’ positive experiences in Canada highlighted the potential for further expansion and growth of the league, with calls for more teams and opportunities for players to compete at a high level. The enthusiastic support from fans, the success of the exhibition game, and the interest from potential franchise owners like Larry Tanenbaum have fueled optimism for the future of women’s basketball in Canada. As more players like Kia Nurse continue to excel on the international stage and inspire younger generations of athletes, the momentum for a WNBA team in Toronto and increased investment in women’s sports in the country appears to be building. Overall, the WNBA exhibition game in Canada served as a milestone for women’s basketball and a testament to the power of sports in uniting communities and fostering inclusion and diversity.
