Candace Parker named WNBA Western Conference player of the week

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The Sparks’ Candace Parker was named the WNBA’s Western Conference player of the week, and Angel McCoughtry of the Atlanta Dream was named player of the week for the Eastern Conference.

Parker is tied with Atlanta’s Erika de Souza for the league lead in both double-doubles (five) and rebounds (11.0 per game), and ranks third overall in scoring with an average of 21.8 points per game. Now in her third WNBA season, she also has been a defensive force, leading the league in blocked shots (2.6 per game) and defensive rebounds (9.2 per game). In her last two games, Parker had back-to-back 30-point performances and recorded her fourth and fifth double-doubles in as many outings this season, although the Sparks are 1-4. In the lone victory, against Washington, she had 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals. Parker followed that up with 33 points, 12 boards, a season-high six blocks and two assists in a defeat at the hands of the visiting Atlanta Dream.

McCoughtry has the Dream 6-0 heading into Tuesday’s night’s game against the Seattle Storm. She currently leads the WNBA in scoring, averaging 24.0 points per game after scoring in double figures every game this season and reaching 20-or-more points in five of six contests. In addition, her 1.5 blocks per outing are tied for 10th and she ranks 14th in both assists (3.5) and steals (1.7) while also contributing 5.8 rebounds per game. Her 32 points against the Sparks on Sunday were just two shy of her career high and equaled the season-best mark she set vs. Connecticut on May 21.

-- Debbie Goffa