Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike out 4-6 weeks, sister Chiney week-to-week

The Los Angeles Sparks expect to miss star forward Nneka Ogwumike for four-to-six weeks after an MRI determined the former league MVP suffered a Grade 2 left knee sprain on Tuesday, the team announced.

Her sister Chiney Ogwumike is also week-to-week due to right knee soreness, and she will be re-evaluated before the club heads on the road to face the Washington Mystics and Minnesota Lynx.

Nneka has averaged a team-high 29.6 minutes per game, leading the Sparks in scoring (16.4) and rebounds (seven). Chiney ranks fourth on the squad in scoring (nine), second in rebounds (5.7), and fourth in assists (two) per game in her three appearances.

L.A. has kicked off the year with a 2-3 start, good for seventh in league standings. However, the Sparks' net rating ranks 11th in the 12-team circuit after being outscored by 10.8 points per 100 possessions, meaning tough times could lie ahead without the Ogwumike sisters leading the charge.