Game Recap vs. Fever - 8/5
The Sparks became the first team in WNBA history to score 100 or more points in four of five games, continuing their offensive tear with a 100-91 win over the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles shot 56.1% from the field, 50% from three-point range and 86.7% from the free-throw line.
Kelsey Plum recorded 25 points and dished a game-high 11 assists, notching her second double-double of the season and seventh of her career. The eighth-year guard also posted a game-best +15 rating and became the fourth player in WNBA history to record five consecutive games with at least 20 points and five assists, joining Caitlin Clark, Arike Ogunbowale and Cappie Pondexter.
Rickea Jackson tied Plum for the team lead with 25 points (10-for-18 FG, 3-for-5 3PT, 2-for-2 FT) and grabbed five rebounds. Azurá Stevens finished with 19 points on 7--for8 shooting and a perfect 5-for-5 from deep, tying her career high in made threes. Stevens became the second player in WNBA history, joining Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings, to make at least five threes without missing and record at least two blocks in a game.
Dearica Hamby finished with 16 points on 8-for-12 shooting, along with seven rebounds and three assists. Rae Burrell contributed seven points (2-for-3 FG, 3-for-3 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal off the bench.
Cameron Brink matched her career high with five blocks in just 16 minutes off the bench, while Julie Allemand posted a team-high eight rebounds and added seven assists that led to 20 points.
The Sparks outscored the Fever 48-36 in the paint, led by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter and matched their season highs in three-pointers made (13) and blocks (7). Los Angeles (42-16 all-time vs. Indiana) has now won seven of its last eight games, snapping the Fever’s five-game winning streak in the process.
QUOTES OF THE NIGHT:
Head Coach Lynne Roberts
On guiding the team through the Fever’s run:
“Just stay steady. We're all right. That was their run. We got to defend the three. That was a flurry by them, and that's a sign of a great team. They didn't quit… [When] we were up 22 [points], they could have folded. They didn't, and I respect that. The lead was a little too big for it, but they hit some big shots. Made us a little bit uncomfortable. But, I think you just have to stay steady and not panic, not play not to lose. So, I think we did end up winning by nine.”
Kelsey Plum
On her passing:
“I think I’ve learned throughout the season I’m best when I take less shots, and not just that, but being very decisive and trying to really read the defense. You know, sometimes my competitive spirit gets the best of me and I just try to make something happen. But I thought I was really patient tonight and just reading what they were giving me. Credit to my teammates, like Dearica [Hamby] did an incredible job making herself available, rolling, [Rickea Jackson] posting up and when they move, it makes my job super easy. So I thought tonight our movement, I just was a beneficiary of that. But it was really awesome to see everyone firing on all cylinders.”
Rickea Jackson
On her 26.0-point average over the last two games:
“I just feel like as a group, we’re just playing together. I feel like we’re very dangerous, and our momentum and our energy is really good right now. Like Coach [Lynne Roberts] said, we’re not flinching, so we just have that confidence in each other. If we get down, we’re not panicking anymore… we know what to do. We’ve been here before. We have the mental toughness together. We’re humble, whatever that needs to be. But we just keep coming and coming and coming, not putting our heads down.”