Sparks winning streak snapped with loss to Seattle Storm (2024)

Sparks winning streak ends at two, losing 95-79, to the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night.

With this loss, the Sparks are now 2-3 in Commisoner’s Cup games.

Fresh off being named Western Conference Player of the Week, Dearica Hamby had another great game scoring 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.

Li Yueru’s continued growth has been great to witness. She scored 18 points with seven rebounds, two assists and a block. Aari McDonald chipped in with 15 points. Rae Burrell had eight points with four rebounds and two assists.

Cameron Brink was a defensive powerhouse with four blocks to go with seven points, four rebounds and a steal. Rickea Jackson had a rough game with three points and a rebound.

Former Spark Nneka Ogwumike opened the offense with four straight points to give Seattle the early lead. Unfortunately, it was another slow start for LA. They were down six, but Layshia Claredon knocked down a layup to stop the bleeding.

The Sparks were crashing the boards and looking much more energetic than they have to start games lately.

At the first timeout, Los Angeles was down eight. Lexie Brown’s instant offense was on full display again as she was subbed in and drilled a quick 3-pointer. The Gold Mamba Jewell Loyd was lighting LA up with nine points.

A very balanced offensive attack kept LA in it. Both teams went back and forth, including a great reverse layup by Yueru. After the Storm went up by five, LA’s bench answered back, including a 3-pointer from McDonald, to tie the game at the end of the first.

After both teams started cold, Seattle jumped to a four-point lead. LA was back within one after a three-point play by Burrell, but the Storm then jumped back up by five.

Both teams were knocking down their shots at a high rate, a difference for the Sparks who have struggled through their first halves the last few games. Their bench was also putting in the work scoring 19 points.

A 5-0 run by the Storm extended their lead to eight as the quarter was winding down. A pair of free throws by Brink helped LA cut the deficit to six at halftime.

The Sparks started the second half strong offensively, cutting the deficit to two. Seattle did a great job keeping itself composed each time LA made it a tight game and eventually went back up by nine.

A dip in energy and offense saw the Sparks begin to struggle with scoring. Brown's 3-pointer made it a four-point game and McDonald’s 3-pointer got the Sparks to within one.

LA’s energy picked up and they began to find their shot again. They had enough to make it a one-possession game but couldn’t capitalize on it. Seattle responded with a four-point swing to go up by five.

Four points by Ogwumike to end the quarter had the Storm up, 66-61.

Seattle began the final frame on fire offensively and went up by nine. They were on an 11-3 run that carried over from the back half of the third quarter. Yueru’s 12 points were huge for the Sparks who needed every point to steal a win.

LA had gotten it to five, but the Storm went up by nine, snatching the momentum back. The Storm picked up their defensive pressure, swarming the Sparks all quarter.

Los Angeles was still in it, down six, but 3-pointers by Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith took Seattle’s lead to 12. The Storm put on an offensive clinic to seal the win.

Key Takeaways:

The turnovers are still an issue. LA must aim for single-digit turnovers to play a cleaner game.

The bench play was incredible again. They’ve been answering the call each night.

The Sparks were in the game most of the night, but mistakes in the fourth took them out of it. It’s something to learn from for this long road trip, which will be tough.

The Sparks’ next contest will be Friday against the Minnesota Lynx at 4:30 PM PT.

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.