The Nneka Ogwumike redemption tour has officially begun.
The Los Angeles Sparks forward returned to game action Sunday for the first time since June 1, when she suffered a knee injury.
In Sunday’s game, Ogwumike played 30 minutes, 59 seconds during which she scored 12 points and had seven rebounds. She was also 6-of-14 from the field.
“It feels amazing,” said Ogwumike. “I just needed to get out there. What helped me, too, is I didn’t have many expectations of myself; I just wanted to go out and help my team. I’m pretty proud of how I felt out there.”
The 2016 league MVP said she feels strong, having done a lot of weight lifting during her rehab.
“But I personally feel I’m not as swift as I want to be,” she said. “That’s going to come with me playing a little bit more.”
On Monday, Ogwumike sent out a tweet where she quoted Beyonce.
“If you feel insignificant, you better think again,” she wrote.
If you feel insignificant, you better think again
— Nneka Ogwumike (@nnekaogwumike) August 16, 2021
Better wake up because you're part of something way bigger
You're part of something way bigger
- @Beyonce pic.twitter.com/oBHFkIUvyw
Ogwumike has been open about how hard it has been for her since being snubbed from the U.S. Olympic team. She’s revealed there have been a lot of moments where she’s felt “unvaluable or unworthy.”
But in her return, Ogwumike factored big into the Sparks’ win, as they beat the Indiana Fever 75-70.
The Sparks next take on the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET.