Candace Parker to return to Sparks after All-Star weekend

LOS ANGELES (AP) Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker will rejoin the team after the All-Star break this weekend.

The two-time MVP said before the season she would miss an undetermined number of games to get 100 percent healthy. She's played her entire career with Los Angeles since being taken with the No. 1 pick in 2008.

The team announced Tuesday that Parker will play her first game in Minnesota on July 29 as the Sparks begin a three-game road trip.

Her first home game will be against the Lynx on August 4. Parker is averaging 17.7 points and 9.0 rebounds in her career.

Without Parker, the Sparks (2-12) have struggled this season and are sitting in last place in the Western Conference.

Even with the slow start, Los Angeles is within two games of the final playoff spot.