Candace Parker expected to return to Sparks lineup Tuesday

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Sparks star forward Candace Parker is expected to play Tuesday against Atlanta after being sidelined for seven weeks with a knee injury.

Parker suffered a torn lateral meniscus in her right knee during a game against New York on June 26. The injury occurred after she grabbed a defensive rebound and collided with the Liberty’s Quanitra Hollingsworth while trying to dribble around the center.

Parker was averaging 17.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists for the Sparks.

Without Parker, the Sparks have posted a 5-10 record.

Parker, the 2008 MVP and rookie of the year, has played in only 35 games the last two seasons due to pregnancy and injury.

The Sparks are in fifth place in the six-team Western Conference with a record of 9-13.

-- Melissa Rohlin