Despite a trio of 20-point performances from Dearica Hamby, Rickea Jackson and Kelsey Plum, the Sparks fell 92-84 at home Tuesday. Los Angeles shot 47.7% from the field and 88.2% from the free-throw line and stayed within striking distance throughout but was ultimately unable to close the gap.

Hamby led all scorers with 25 points (9-for-12 FG, 7-for-9 FT)  and secured a team-high eight rebounds. The 11th-year forward also recorded five steals, marking her fifth career game with at least five and her ninth this season with three or more.

Jackson, who briefly exited late in the third quarter before returning, finished as the game's second-leading scorer with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 4-from-7 from beyond the arc. Last year's All-Rookie forward has now made at least three three-pointers in four straight outings for the first time in her career, hitting 16-of-28 (57.1 %) during that span. The Sparks are 8-1 this season when Jackson scores 20 or more.

Plum pitched in 20 points of her own, shooting 50% from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. The four-time All-Star leads the league in games with at least 20 points and four assists this season (20), six more than Sabrina Ionescu, who ranks second.

Cameron Brink reached a defensive milestone in her 26th career game. The 6’4" forward tied Rebecca Lobo, Sylvia Fowles and Taj McWilliams-Franklin as the 14th-fastest in WNBA history to reach 75 combined steals and blocks.

Rae Burrell contributed off the bench with nine points, five rebounds and one steal, while Julie Allemand dished a team-high six assists, which resulted in 14 Sparks points.

Los Angeles held a 46-42 advantage in points in the paint and a 22-17 edge in points off turnovers.

QUOTES OF THE NIGHT:

Head Coach Lynne Roberts

On the physicality of tonight’s game:

“It was physical, and I think those are probably really hard games to officiate. Playoffs are coming, and people are like, ‘we're scrapping for our lives’, and they're playing hard. We're all playing for something and the intensity's up. These guys are pros – they have pride in how they play, and I think that's what you see.”

Azurá Stevens

On playing after a five-day break:

“We haven't been here for five days… But, I think in the second half, we were able to get back into the rhythm and I think where it hurt us the most was just transitioning. For [the Mercury], they got a lot of points in the first half, but in the second half, we were able to clean that up.”

What’s Next?: 

The Sparks remain at home, facing the Fever (Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. PT) and the Mystics (Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. PT).