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Li Yueru · After cameoing in each of the first four games on the Los Angeles Sparks’ calendar, the case could be made that of all of the opportunities to test Li Yueru’s potential, few were more reasonable than the one on May 26, 2024, against the Dallas Wings’ imposing, 6-foot-6-and-up frontcourt trio. As fate would ultimately have it, Yueru’s extended opportunity — and the plays that she made in response — couldn’t have come at a better time. Entrusted with pivotal minutes deep into the fourth quarter of a one-possession game, the 6-foot-7 big shows poise and power, sealing Teaira McCowan deep into the Sparks’ sea of purple before skillfully angling in a left-handed, and-one finish. The Sparks would fall shy in another one-score loss, but not before each of their gifted bigs put their talent on showcase. In just 18 minutes time, the China-born center nearly crossed off her career’s first-ever double-double, chipping in 10 points and nine rebounds. · State of Mint