Los Angeles, CA- Kahleah Copper scored 21 points, Alyssa Thomas orchestrated Phoenix’s offense with a double-double of 15 assists and 11 rebounds, and the Phoenix Mercury spoiled Sparky’s birthday celebration by edging the Los Angeles Sparks 86-82 on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
The loss extended a frustrating stretch for the Sparks, who remained unable to finish close games despite another balanced effort. Los Angeles trailed by just two entering the fourth quarter and battled through eight lead changes and 10 ties before Phoenix executed down the stretch to secure the road victory.
The Mercury (record not provided) received another signature performance from Thomas, whose playmaking repeatedly created quality looks for Copper and the Phoenix offense. Copper answered with timely baskets in the final minutes to help the Mercury pull away after the Sparks had erased multiple deficits throughout the evening.
Los Angeles was led by Rae Burrell, who scored a team-high 20 points for her fifth 20-point game of the season. Dearica Hamby continued her All-Star-caliber campaign with another all-around performance, finishing with at least 18 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks in just 32 minutes. The accomplishment made Hamby just the third player in franchise history to reach those numbers, joining Sparks legends Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker, and only the ninth player in WNBA history to do so while playing 32 minutes or fewer.
Nneka Ogwumike added 13 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for another double-double, while Ariel Atkins chipped in 15 points, knocking down three 3-pointers and contributing four rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks.
Despite the loss, Los Angeles continued to show defensive improvement. The Sparks held Phoenix to just 25.9% shooting from beyond the arc (7 for 27), outrebounded the Mercury in the second half and dominated second-chance scoring 15-4.
The game featured playoff-like intensity from the opening tip.
Hamby scored the Sparks’ first seven points as Los Angeles opened with a 10-2 run to take an early 10-7 lead. Phoenix answered before halftime, carrying a slim 43-41 advantage into the locker room after Burrell beat the buzzer with a pull-up jumper.
The Sparks reclaimed the lead midway through the third quarter when Hamby’s driving layup made it 47-45, their first advantage since late in the opening period. Neither team could gain separation, however, and Burrell buried a clutch 3-pointer with less than 30 seconds remaining in the quarter to tie the game at 60 entering the final 10 minutes.
Phoenix made the decisive push in the fourth behind Copper and Thomas. Although Atkins scored eight points in the period on perfect shooting, including two 3-pointers, the Mercury answered each Sparks rally with timely baskets and defensive stops.
Los Angeles never stopped fighting, but missed opportunities in key possessions ultimately proved costly.
“I think our execution needs to be better,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. “Attention to detail, our communication defensively. They weren’t doing anything that we didn’t show on film and go over. We just got to be locked in. I felt like we were a little bit reactive defensively down the stretch rather than proactive. It’s just execution coming out of a timeout, executing what we just talked about.”
The defeat capped a difficult first half of the season for Los Angeles, but Roberts remained optimistic heading into the All-Star break, especially with the anticipated return of Kelsey Plum.
“I don’t think there was ever not pressure to figure it out,” Roberts said. “We’ve been right there in all these games, so I do think that we’re really close. We’re going to get Kelsey Plum back soon, and that will be a boost. Pressure is a privilege. That means people care, people want us to do well.”
Burrell, whose expanded role has been one of the bright spots during the recent stretch, said the team’s approach remains unchanged despite the losses.
“I feel like you just have to keep pushing through,” Burrell said. “I’m just trying not to dwell on the mistakes that I was having and just staying aggressive.”
Following WNBA All-Star Weekend, the Sparks will return to Crypto.com Arena on July 28 to host the defending champion New York Liberty, hoping to translate their improved defensive play into victories during the second half of the season.