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 againBetter wake up because you're part of something way biggerYou're part of something way bigger- @Beyonce pic.twitter.com/oBHFkIUvyw— Nneka Ogwumike (@nnekaogwumike) August 16, 2021
If you feel insignificant, you better think againBetter wake up because you're part of something way biggerYou'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.