WNBA: Candace Parker talks about her knee injury during the Sparks’ game

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During a live phone interview with ESPN2 in the second quarter of the Sparks’ game against Connecticut on Tuesday, Candace Parker sounded optimistic about her knee injury.

Parker learned Monday that she would be out for at least six weeks after suffering a torn lateral meniscus in her right knee during a game Sunday against New York.

‘I’m bummed,’ Parker said. ‘But it’s a good outlook compared to what it could’ve been.’

Parker, the 2008 most valuable player and rookie of the year, played in only 35 of a possible 68 regular-season games the last two seasons because of pregnancy and injury. She played in 10 games last season after having surgery in June on a dislocated left shoulder, an injury she initially suffered her senior year at Tennessee.

Before this season began, Parker said she was looking forward to finally playing healthy for the first time in her professional career.

Then, with about six minutes remaining in the third quarter on Sunday, Parker grabbed a defensive rebound and injured her knee while trying to dribble around the Liberty’s Quanitra Hollingsworth.

‘Emotionally it’s tough, but I have to keep things in perspective,’ she said. ‘God never gives you more than you can handle. I’m just trying to face this obstacle with the best attitude.’

Parker was leading the Sparks in scoring (17.7) and rebounding (9.9). Though she’s disappointed, Parker said she’s not going to return until she’s truly healthy.

‘I’ve learned I’m going to listen to my body,’ she said. ‘I’m not going to rush it.’

At halftime, the Sparks had a 42-41 lead over the Sun. Kristi Toliver led the Sparks (4-3) with 14 points and the bench outscored the Sun’s reserves, 29-4.

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