LA SPARKS WEEKLY

Sparks Ride Balanced Attack to 102-87 Victory Over Sky

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Sparks continued their climb back into the playoff race Friday night, defeating the Chicago Sky 102-87 at Crypto.com Arena behind an efficient offensive performance and a dominant second half.

After falling behind early, the Sparks settled into their rhythm and took control with crisp ball movement, strong rebounding, and timely shooting. Los Angeles outscored Chicago after the opening quarter, gradually pulling away before putting the game out of reach in the final period.

Veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike led the way with a standout double-double, finishing with 25 points and 12 rebounds while also contributing five assists. Her steady presence on both ends of the floor helped ignite the Sparks whenever the Sky threatened to close the gap.

Dearica Hamby and Rae Burrell each added 17 points, providing consistent scoring throughout the night. Ariel Atkins also scored 17 points while dishing out six assists, and Erica Wheeler controlled the offense with 15 points and eight assists, helping Los Angeles maintain its offensive flow.

Chicago came out with energy, taking an early lead behind aggressive play in transition and solid interior scoring. The Sky remained within striking distance through the first half, but the Sparks responded with a series of scoring runs fueled by their defense and efficient perimeter shooting.

Los Angeles shot over 50 percent from the field and knocked down key three-pointers that prevented Chicago from mounting a serious comeback. The Sparks also dominated the glass, limiting second-chance opportunities while creating extra possessions of their own.

The fourth quarter belonged to Los Angeles as the Sparks stretched their advantage into double digits with balanced scoring and disciplined defense. Every time the Sky attempted to chip away at the deficit, the Sparks answered with timely baskets and strong execution.

The victory marks the Sparks' second consecutive win and provides valuable momentum as they continue a crucial stretch of the regular season. After enduring a difficult run of losses, Los Angeles appears to be finding its rhythm with contributions coming from throughout the lineup.

For Chicago, the loss highlighted flashes of offensive potential but also underscored defensive struggles against one of the league's more balanced attacks. The Sky battled throughout the evening but were unable to slow the Sparks' efficient offense over the final three quarters.

With confidence building and several key players finding their form

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**Sparks Stun Liberty with Buzzer-Beater in Thrilling 98-97 Victory**

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Sparks delivered one of the most memorable moments of their 2026 season Sunday night, rallying from a double-digit deficit to defeat the New York Liberty 98-97 on a dramatic buzzer-beating three-pointer.

Trailing by as many as 17 points in the second half, the Sparks refused to fold against one of the league's top teams. Instead, they chipped away at the lead quarter by quarter, setting the stage for a breathtaking finish in front of an energized home crowd.

With the Liberty clinging to a two-point advantage in the closing seconds, Los Angeles moved the ball around the perimeter after a drive into the lane. The pass found veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike on the wing, and she calmly knocked down the game-winning three as time expired, sending the arena into celebration.

Ogwumike finished with a team-high 24 points and delivered the defining shot of the evening, capping off a relentless comeback effort that showcased the Sparks' resilience and poise under pressure.

Los Angeles received balanced scoring throughout the lineup. Rae Burrell provided a major spark off the bench with 19 points, while Erica Wheeler controlled the pace of the offense with 15 points and several key plays in the fourth quarter. Dearica Hamby added 12 points and battled on the glass, helping the Sparks dominate inside during critical stretches.

The Liberty appeared to be in control early, building an advantage behind their efficient offense and strong perimeter shooting. New York led by 12 at halftime and extended the margin to 17 during the third quarter before the Sparks mounted their comeback.

Los Angeles responded with improved defensive intensity and a more aggressive attack in the paint. The Sparks forced key turnovers, converted second-chance opportunities, and slowly erased the deficit heading into the final minutes.

The final sequence was fitting for a game filled with momentum swings. After New York took a late lead, the Sparks trusted their veterans and executed flawlessly, with Ogwumike delivering a shot that instantly became one of the season's signature highlights.

The victory moved Los Angeles back to the .500 mark at 8-8 and provided a significant confidence boost as the team continues to battle for positioning in a competitive WNBA season. For the Liberty, the heartbreaking loss served as a reminder that no lead is safe against a determined Sparks squad that showed tremendous heart and composure when it mattered most.

Sunday night's thriller will be remembered not only for the incredible finish but also for the grit and determination displayed by the Sparks, who turned what looked like a difficult night into an unforgettable victory.

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Lynx Pull Away From Sparks in 99-83 Victory at Crypto.com Arena

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Sparks battled early but could not keep pace with the Minnesota Lynx, falling 99-83 Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena.

Playing without key contributors due to injuries, the Sparks showed resilience in the opening quarter behind aggressive play from Rae Burrell and Dearica Hamby. Burrell attacked the basket and knocked down shots from the perimeter, helping Los Angeles jump out to an early lead as the home crowd looked for a spark.

Minnesota, however, quickly found its rhythm behind rookie sensation Olivia Miles. The dynamic guard took over the contest in the first half, showcasing her ability to score from all areas of the floor. Her explosive offensive performance shifted the momentum decisively in the Lynx's favor as they closed the second quarter on a strong run and carried a double-digit advantage into halftime.

The Sparks struggled to generate consistent offense without their full lineup. Despite solid efforts from Burrell, Hamby, and the bench unit, Los Angeles found it difficult to slow Minnesota's balanced attack. The Lynx continued to push the pace in the third quarter, extending their lead to as many as 20 points.

To their credit, the Sparks mounted a brief comeback midway through the third period. A defensive surge combined with timely baskets trimmed the deficit to 10, igniting the crowd and giving Los Angeles hope of a late rally. But Minnesota responded with veteran poise, answering every challenge and maintaining control down the stretch.

Burrell led the Sparks with 19 points, providing energy and scoring throughout the night. Hamby added 12 points and nine rebounds, while Jihyun Park provided a spark off the bench with 13 points. The Sparks fought hard despite being shorthanded, but turnovers and inconsistent shooting ultimately proved costly.

For Minnesota, Miles delivered the best performance of her young career, pouring in a career-high 31 points and setting the tone offensively. The Lynx also received strong contributions from Nia Coffey and Natasha Howard as they continued their impressive season.

The loss drops the Sparks into a two-game skid as they look to regroup and rediscover their offensive rhythm. With several important games ahead, Los Angeles will aim to put this defeat behind them and return to winning form in front of their home fans.

Wednesday night's result served as another reminder of the challenges that come with injuries, but also highlighted the determination of a Sparks team that continues to compete despite adversity.

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LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Sparks delivered one of their most complete performances of the season Sunday afternoon, pulling away in the second half for an 89-72 victory over the Portland Fire at Crypto.com Arena.

After a tightly contested first half that saw Portland take a slim lead into the break, the Sparks emerged from halftime with renewed energy and defensive intensity. Los Angeles dominated the third quarter, turning defensive stops into transition opportunities and seizing control of the game with a decisive run that the Fire could never overcome.

Veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike led the charge for the Sparks with a dominant double-double, controlling the paint on both ends of the floor and providing a steady presence throughout the contest. Dearica Hamby matched that effort with a double-double of her own, attacking the basket aggressively and helping fuel the Sparks' offensive surge.

Kelsey Plum added a strong all-around performance, facilitating the offense while creating scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. The Sparks received valuable contributions from their bench as well, with key reserve minutes helping maintain momentum during crucial stretches.

Portland entered the second half holding a narrow advantage, but struggled to generate offense after the break. The Fire were plagued by turnovers and cold shooting, allowing Los Angeles to steadily build its lead. Despite a strong effort from Megan Gustafson, who recorded a double-double, Portland was unable to keep pace with the Sparks' balanced attack.

The difference came on the defensive end, where Los Angeles applied relentless pressure throughout the second half. The Sparks forced mistakes, disrupted passing lanes, and turned defense into easy scoring opportunities. Their aggressive approach led to a series of momentum-shifting plays that energized both the team and the home crowd.

By the start of the fourth quarter, the Sparks had transformed a close game into a comfortable lead. Los Angeles continued to execute down the stretch, extending the margin and securing a convincing victory.

The win provides a much-needed boost for the Sparks as they continue their push through the early portion of the WNBA season. After dropping their previous contest, Los Angeles responded with one of its strongest performances of the year, showcasing the defensive effort and balanced scoring that the organization hopes will become its identity moving forward.

For Portland, the loss serves as a learning opportunity for the expansion franchise, which showed flashes of competitiveness but struggled to maintain consistency against an experienced Sparks squad.

The Sparks will look to build on the momentum in their upcoming matchup, while the Fire return home seeking a bounce-back performance and a return to the win column.

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# Wings Pull Away Late to Defeat Sparks 104-96 in High-Scoring Battle

LOS ANGELES — A competitive matchup at Crypto.com Arena turned in favor of the Dallas Wings late Friday night as they closed strong in the fourth quarter to defeat the Los Angeles Sparks, 104-96.

The Sparks battled throughout the evening and held leads at multiple points, but Dallas delivered a decisive late surge to hand Los Angeles another tough defeat.

Kelsey Plum led the Sparks with 27 points and six assists, providing a spark offensively from the opening tip. The veteran guard attacked the basket, knocked down perimeter shots, and kept Los Angeles within striking distance for most of the night.

The game featured numerous lead changes and a fast pace, with both teams shooting efficiently. Los Angeles received additional scoring from Ariel Atkins, Dearica Hamby, Nneka Ogwumike, and Cameron Brink as the offense produced one of its better performances of the season.

Dallas answered every challenge behind a balanced attack led by Arike Ogunbowale, who poured in 30 points. Jessica Shepard controlled the paint with a dominant double-double, while Paige Bueckers orchestrated the offense and consistently created opportunities for her teammates.

After the teams entered the fourth quarter separated by only a single possession, the Wings took control with a series of key baskets and defensive stops. Dallas capitalized on turnovers and second-chance opportunities, gradually extending its advantage.

The Sparks continued to fight back, trimming the deficit several times, but the Wings responded with timely shooting and clutch execution in the final minutes. A late scoring run by Dallas ultimately put the game out of reach.

Los Angeles showed flashes of offensive rhythm and resilience throughout the contest but struggled to contain Dallas during the closing stretch. The Sparks also found themselves hurt by turnovers at critical moments as the Wings converted those opportunities into points.

With the loss, the Sparks will look to regroup and build on the positive offensive performances from several key contributors as they continue their homestand. Meanwhile, the Wings leave Los Angeles with another impressive road victory and continued momentum early in the season.

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LOS ANGELES — The Las Vegas Aces used a dominant defensive effort and timely scoring to defeat the Los Angeles Sparks 79-69 on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena in a Commissioner's Cup matchup.

The Sparks struggled to find an offensive rhythm throughout the evening as the Aces controlled much of the game from start to finish. Los Angeles shot poorly from the field and was unable to generate enough consistent offense to overcome the defending champions.

Las Vegas leaned on its veteran core to build an early advantage and maintained control through the middle quarters. Every time the Sparks attempted to close the gap, the Aces responded with key baskets and strong defensive possessions.

Despite the loss, the Sparks received a breakout performance from Rae Burrell, who poured in a career-high 22 points. Burrell kept Los Angeles within striking distance for much of the night with aggressive drives to the basket and timely perimeter shooting.

Nneka Ogwumike added a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Cameron Brink provided energy off the bench on both ends of the floor. However, the Sparks were unable to overcome their shooting struggles and several empty possessions during critical stretches.

The Aces were led by MVP candidate A'ja Wilson, who delivered another strong all-around performance. Chelsea Gray also came up with several key plays late, including a clutch three-pointer that helped seal the victory.

Los Angeles mounted one final push in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to single digits and igniting the home crowd. But Wilson answered with a three-point play before Gray knocked down a dagger from beyond the arc, putting the game out of reach.

The defeat snapped the Sparks' momentum following recent strong performances and highlighted the challenges of facing one of the league's elite teams. Los Angeles will now turn its attention to its next Commissioner's Cup contest as it looks to bounce back and regain ground in the standings.

With the win, the Aces continued to show why they remain one of the WNBA's premier contenders, combining defensive intensity with championship poise down the stretch to secure another important road victory.

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