A Nneka Ogwumike putback layup with 0.1 seconds remaining gave the Sparks a 66-64 win over the Atlanta Dream. Their third straight victory and 18th consecutive win at Staples Center firmly inserted LA into the playoff picture. The Sparks led by as many as 17 in the second half, and survived a furious rally from the Dream, who tied the game at 64-64 in the final minute. Los Angeles was anchored by selfless offensive play and lockdown defense, holding the Dream to 39.4% shooting. Ogwumike finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Amanda Zahui B. and Kristi Toliver added 10 apiece. Atlanta was led by No. 3 overall pick and rookie Aari McDonald who scored 15 second-half points, including hitting four 3-pointers to spark the Dream rally.

The Sparks took control late in the first quarter after a Te’a Cooper mid-range jumper gave them a 9-7 lead with 3:28 to go in the first period. The Sparks wouldn’t trail again in the game. Carrying a 36-28 lead into halftime, LA used the third quarter to further build its advantage behind the same formula of a well-balanced offense and a stifling defense. Seven of the Sparks eight active players scored in the third period, helping the team grow its lead to 13 points by the quarter’s end at 56-43.

Despite being in firm control for most of the night, the Sparks found themselves in yet another nailbiter down the stretch. After trailing by as many as 17 points in the third quarter, Atlanta mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback to knot the score at 64 apiece on a Crystal Bradford three-pointer with 32.8 second to go in regulation to cap off a 16-4 run.

A stunned crowd watched as Los Angeles called timeout to regroup for its final possession in regulation. Though the play wasn’t drawn up for her, the ball ended up in Nneka Ogwumike’s hands with just over a second to go after she reeled in a missed three-pointer by Kristi Toliver. Then she went up for the putback, sinking it with 0.1 seconds on the clock to seal the game.

Ogwumike led LA in points (17), rebounds (seven), and steals (three) — a season-high. Brittney Sykes came up just shy of a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds. Atlanta’s Courtney Williams recorded a double-double and led all players on either team with 23 points. Aari McDonald and Candice Dupree also scored in double-digits, with 15 and 10 points, respectively.

The win improved the Sparks to 9-13 and moved them into ninth place in the league standings, a half game ahead of the Washington Mystics and a half game behind the Dallas Wings, who currently hold the WNBA’s eighth and final playoff spot. Meanwhile, LA handed Atlanta its seventh consecutive loss, dropping the Dream to 6-16.

The Sparks now prepare to travel across the country to take on Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty on Sunday, Aug. 22, with hopes of extending their winning streak to four games.