The losing continues for the Sparks as they fell to the Mercury 86-82 at home.
It was another ugly performance from the Sparks. They shot 40% from the field, and lost the points in the paint battle 54-36.
The Sparks now enter the All-Star break with a 10-16 record.
If there isn’t a dramatic turnaround in the second half of the season for the Sparks, they will miss the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
Dearica Hamby was the only Spark who had it going during the opening minutes of this contest.
She had LA’s first seven points. Thanks to the Mercury also struggling offensively, making only three of their first eight shots, the score was even at seven midway through the period.
Nneka Ogwumike broke the tie with a top-of-the-key 3-pointer while the Kids Day crowd cheered her on.
The Mercury responded with a 5-0 mini-run, and then an Ogwumike jumper evened the game back up at 12.
During the rest of the quarter, both teams exchanged baskets. Alyssa Thomas broke the tie with a free throw to put Phoenix ahead by one point entering the second period.
Hamby once again kicked off the scoring in the second for the Sparks with another basket inside the restricted area.
However, Kahleah Copper scored the first five points for the Mercury to keep Phoenix in front. Thomas converted on a three-point play, but Erica Wheeler matched her with a three-point play of her own to make it a one-point game.
The Mercury continued to attack the paint. This resulted in Thomas heading to the line, then a basket for Noemie Brochant, followed by a three from Monique Akoa Makani. With Phoenix up by seven, their largest lead of the game, the Sparks called a timeout to try and settle things down.
This worked initially with Burrell scoring once play resumed. But Thomas scored on the next Mercury possession, and momentum remained unchanged.
The Sparks cut the deficit down thanks to a pair of free throws by Ariel Atkins and a buzzer-beater by Burrell. At the half, LA trailed by just two points.
To start the third quarter, LA’s offense began to come together. The Sparks went on a 6-0 run thanks to Hamby and Ogwumike.
DeWanna Bonner scored the next four points for the Mercury, putting them back on top. Wheeler responded with a pair of free throws, and the game was even at 49 midway through the third.
All game long, when Phoenix needed some scoring, Thomas delivered. So, it’s no surprise she had a four-point scoring run in the middle of the third to help the Mercury regain the lead.
Even with Thomas on a roll, the Sparks never quit. Burrell and Brink knocked down a pair of threes to even the contest at 60 entering the final frame.
The fourth featured a flurry of baskets.
The Mercury opened up the fourth on a 4-0 run. Atkins ended the Sparks scoring drought with a jumper and Copper responded with a driving layup. The Sparks then got back in the game with a basket from Ogwumike and a three from Burrell.
Copper scored another five points, but then Atkins hit a three to put LA within three.
With the game hanging in the balance, the Mercury took control for good.
Sami Whitcomb and Bonner scored for the Mercury giving them an eight-point lead, but the Sparks had one more run in them.
Atkins knocked down a three. Burrell and Hamby contibuted points as well, but a Makani layup secured the result for the Mercury.
Key Player Stats:
Hamby ended the game with 18 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Ogwumike had 13 points and 12 rebounds. Burrell scored a team-high 20 points in the loss.
Off the bench Cameron Brink had five points in 19 minuets of play.
The WNBA will begin its All-Star break, so the Sparks’ next game will not be until Tuesday, July 28 against the New York Liberty.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
