Sparks Struggles Continue After Blowout Loss to Mercury

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Sparks faced another tough loss on Sunday, falling to the Phoenix Mercury 85-80 after letting an 18-point lead slip away in the third quarter. The game marked a challenging weekend for the Sparks, who failed to secure a win in two consecutive games, bringing their season record to 2-6.

Odyssey Sims was a standout player for Los Angeles, scoring 32 points, including 17 in the first half. Despite her impressive performance, the team’s inability to maintain momentum ultimately led to their defeat. Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum also contributed to the scoring, each adding 15 points to the tally.

The Sparks started strong, with Sims making an early three-pointer and asserting control in the first quarter, leading to a 10-point advantage by its end. The second quarter saw further dominance, culminating in an 18-point lead before halftime.

However, the third quarter revealed a stark shift in energy, with the Sparks struggling to score, managing only nine points as the Mercury capitalized on their mistakes. Kathryn Westbeld of Phoenix was particularly effective, single-handedly shifting the momentum.

“What a disastrous third quarter from the Sparks,” noted sports analyst Edwin Garcia on Twitter. “Their 18-point lead evaporated, and they now enter the fourth down by two.”

As the game progressed, the lead exchanged hands multiple times in a back-and-forth finale. Despite several scoring attempts to regain control, Los Angeles could not close the gap, emphasizing the team’s need for improvement in maintaining their lead.

The Sparks will have an opportunity to bounce back as they prepare to face the Dallas Wings this Friday at 6:30 PM PT. Fans remain hopeful for a turnaround for the struggling team, looking for signs of improvement in upcoming games.