A long break for the Sparks did nothing to stop their losing ways as they were routed by the Storm on Monday, 82-64.
Eight days off did not provide LA any solutions to their recent woes. The Sparks led only briefly at the start of the game, then fell behind by as many as 26 points. The team shot just 33.8% from the field and 17.2% from three.
Since losing Kelsey Plum, the Sparks have not only lost three straight games, but done so by 28, 24 and now 18 points.
It was the Flau’jae Johnson show early as she
had three triples and the first 13 points for Seattle. Dearica Hamby, Nneka Ogwumike, and Ariel Atkins combined for six early for LA. Still, at the 4:57 mark, the Sparks were down by seven.
Erica Wheeler drained a much-needed 3-pointer for Los Angeles.
LA ended the quarter shooting 35% from the field. Nneka and Hamby were LA’s scoring leaders with five each. They were down by five. Los Angeles also had seven turnovers and zero second-chance points.
Katie Lou Samuelson started the second period on fire for the Storm, scoring six points off two 3-pointers. Ariel Atkins converted on a three-point play for LA. After a layup by Stefanie Dolson, the Sparks called a timeout.
Out of the break, Rae Burrell converted on a layup.
Hamby continued her strong play, scoring six in the quarter and upping her total to 12 for the half. She was the only Spark in double figures. Rookie Awa Fam drained a triple for Seattle. She had seven points.
At the 2:50 mark, LA was down by double digits.
Los Angeles did find a spark, ending the half with four of the final six points, but they were down by 11 at halftime. They managed to stay in single digits in their turnovers with nine. The Sparks shot 50% from the field in the second quarter.
The Storm started the third period scoring five points in a row. Natisha Hiedeman drained a triple and scored on a jumper. She had 11 points for Seattle. Los Angeles missed all seven of their shot attempts. The Storm grew their lead to 19.
LA was outscored 20-8 in the quarter. They shot 13%, converting on only two of 15 shot attempts. Hamby and Nneka were the only Sparks in double figures with 15 and 10, respectively. At the end of the third, Los Angeles was down by 23.
The final frame began on a positive note for the Sparks, who scored five quick points and forced a timeout by the Storm. Out of the break, Zia Cooke scored on a layup. Kate Martin, whom the Sparks signed on a standard contract earlier in the day, scored on a triple.
The comeback attempt for Los Angeles was not meant to be, though, as the Storm maintained their big lead.
Key Player Stats:
Hamby finished with 17 points and four rebounds. Nneka ended with 14 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Atkins pitched in with five points. Emma Cannon notched five points off the bench.
The Sparks’ next game will be against the Indiana Fever on Wednesday at 7:00 PM PT.
You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.
