

Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles Sparks trailed the Chicago Sky 79-75 with 1:25 remaining in the game when Chelsea Gray knocked down a three to make it a one-point game. After Chicago’s Cheyenne Parker made a shot, Gray hit a pull-up jumper to cut the lead, 81-80.
After a shot-clock violation by the Sky, Gray hit a pair of free throws to give the Sparks an 82-81 lead with 29 seconds left in the game. Chicago missed a three and Gray grabbed the rebound, passed it to Nneka Ogwumike who put the game away with a layup.

Los Angeles came back to erase a 16-point deficit and defeat visiting Chicago, 84-81, Sunday at the Staples Center.
“I was able to get open looks down the stretch,” Gray said. “We showed a lot of heart, effort and grit. We were going through highs and lows throughout the game.”
The Sparks (15-8) are on a five-game winning streak and have won eight straight at home. Gray finished with 26 points, including seven in the final minute and a half. Ogwumike had 17 points and 13 rebounds while Maria Vadeeva added 12 points off the bench.

Chicago jumped out to an early 14-4 lead in the first quarter. The Sparks were able to close the gap but still trailed 27-15 after the first quarter. Chicago led by as many as 14 in the second quarter and headed to halftime with a 44-39 lead.
After a rough first half, the Sparks stormed back in the third quarter, cutting the lead 53-52, on Ogwumike’s 16-foot jumper. Los Angeles took their first lead in the fourth quarter after Vardeeva converted a three-point play.
“You want to learn from wins,” Candace Parker said. “We came out and were able to battle back. We came out sluggish. Credit to Chicago, they did a good job of jumping on us, especially in the first quarter.”

Los Angeles next two games with be on the road against Dallas on Wednesday and Chicago on Friday.