Chicago, IL (AHN) - Even without three-time league MVP Lisa Leslie, the Chicago Sky were no match for the Los Angeles Sparks.

Leslie, who will miss the season because of pregnancy, wasn't needed in this game as the Sparks handled their mediocre opponents easily en route to an 81-64 victory Tuesday night.

"We're going to miss her because of the presence that she brings," said Sparks head coach Michael Cooper. "When you're missing a key player like that, you have to do other things. I thought the players that we got did a good job tonight for our first game out."

With Leslie out, the Sparks went to Chamique Holdsclaw and Taj McWilliams-Franklin early and often.

Holdsclaw scored 18 points and hauled in eight rebounds while McWilliams-Franklin added 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks.

"In the game of basketball, if you have a great inside player it makes the game a lot easier," Holdsclaw said. "(Leslie is) definitely missed out there but I'm just glad we were able to acquire Taj in the offseason."

"We're a running team," Cooper said. "That's what we want to do from the get-go. From the start of the first quarter we got out. Our defense was really aggressive."

Sidney Spencer and Mwadi Mabika each added nine points as Los Angeles outscored the Sky 17-6 in fast-break points.

Chicago was led by Dominique Canty who scored 18 points as the Sky lost their second consecutive game. Stacey Dales added 14 for the Sky.

Los Angeles scored the first seven points of the third quarter and added a 14-0 run late in the period to go up 65-38 with 1:41 left.

"When you get off to a bad start in the first half and a bad start in the second half, it just felt like we were always trying to come from behind," Sky head coach Bo Overton said.