Candace Parker began her WNBA career just two weeks ago when her L.A. Sparks were going up against the world champion Phoenix Mercury and L.A. was welcoming back its legendary center, Lisa Leslie, who missed the 2007 season on maternity leave.

Leslie may have been the pre-game favorite, but it was Parker who owned the day and not the returning veteran, who turned in a solid performance with 17 points and 12 rebounds, or the world champs with their shiny championship rings and banner swaying in the rafters. It was the 22-year-old who, only a month ago, led the University of Tennessee to a second straight national championship. When the final buzzer sounded, Parker had 34 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists — the brightest debut for a rookie in WNBA history — and Leslie met her at midcourt with a celebratory hug.

A few hours later, Indianapolis was watching its own dramatic debut when Katie Douglas ran onto the Conseco Fieldhouse court for the first time wearing an Indiana Fever jersey. The Indianapolis native put on her own dominating performance, finishing with 24 points, 17 coming in the first half alone. And despite a sluggish offensive display by the rest of the team — which is still missing all-star Tamika Catchings from an injury sustained in the 2007 playoffs — the Fever won their home opener against the Washington Mystics.

Now, Thursday night, the Fever is set for a collision with the L.A. Sparks. It’s the battle of two teams with championship ambitions. The Fever feels it’s their time to win while the Sparks are favored to capture a third title this season.

The Fever is a team still finding itself. Training camp isn’t the luxury it is for NBA teams — a period for teammates to get to know each other and learn their offensive and defensive sets. Instead, the WNBA finds itself annually using the period to evaluate new talent while waiting for its superstars to return from their overseas commitments. And the team continues to tamper with its lineup, waiving three-year center Kasha Terry last week and grabbing free agent guard Sherrill Baker. There is also the wait for Catchings to return.

The Sparks, on the other hand, are already operating like a team ready for the playoffs with an efficient mix of offensive and defensive prowess. Not only do the Sparks have Leslie and Parker, they also reacquired Olympian Delisha Milton-Jones, who played the first six years of her WNBA career in Los Angeles. Marie Ferdinand, a two-time all-star and a fixture in the San Antonio Silver Stars lineup at shooting guard, signed with the team during the off season. Add to the mix a healthy Temeka Dixon, who missed most of the 2007 season, and developing second-year sharp-shooter Sidney Spencer.

A match up between Tennessee alumni Catchings and Parker would be a women’s basketball fan’s dream. But Thursday evening they could get an equally entertaining showdown between Douglas and the rookie phenom. The question is, will the rest of the Fever be able to step up and hold their own against Los Angeles’ formidable all-stars?

What: Indiana Fever vs. Los Angeles Sparks
When: Friday, May 29, 7 p.m.
Where: Conseco Fieldhouse
www.feverbasketball.com