Without stars Becky Hammon and Sophia Young, it was obvious that the San Antonio Silver Stars were going to need someone to step up this season.
Tonight that help came from point guard Danielle Robinson.
Robinson recorded a game-high 7 assists to go with 18 points, including 8-for-11 shooting from the free throw line, to lead the Silver Stars to an 83-78 win over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers.
Second year wing Shenise Johnson led the Silver Stars in scoring with 19 points on 8-for-13 shooting and Jia Perkins added 14, though she missed a free throw late that could have helped extend the Stars' lead beyond one possession.
For the Sparks, Candace Parker turned in a monster 27-point and 20-rebound performance, including a game-high four blocks. Point guard Lindsey Harding added 18 points, but the story for the Sparks was how little help they got from the rest of the roster: while Harding and Parker combined to shoot 20-for-39, the rest of the team shot just 11-for-30.
With the Silver Stars' win, the teams find themselves tied in the Western Conference standings at 1-1.