Despite competing hard despite a slew of injuries, the Sparks could not keep up with the Mercury, falling 88-79 in Phoenix on Sunday. The short-handed Sparks were still missing Nneka Ogwumike (left knee) and Chiney Ogwumike (right knee). In addition, Kristi Toliver (eye) was not able to play along with Bria Holmes (foot). The Sparks are also missing Jasmine Walker for the season (right knee), and Maria Vadeeva remains overseas. The Sparks got double-figure scoring from Erica Wheeler, Te’a Cooper, Brittney Sykes, and Amanda Zahui B. Phoenix was led by their three Olympians in Diana Taurasi, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Brittney Griner.

To kick off the first quarter, Mercury forward Brianna Turner nailed a hook shot. After the first LA timeout, Sparks guard Te’a Cooper made a 27-foot three-pointer. Both teams traded points back and forth throughout the first quarter, keeping the game tied until Cooper made a 19-foot step back jump shot that ended the quarter with a two-point lead for the Sparks, 26-24. Erica Wheeler reached double figures in the first quarter with 10 points. This was her 8th game this season reaching double-digit scoring.

After a strong first quarter for LA, Skylar Diggins-Smith responded with a 27-foot three-pointer that pushed Phoenix ahead. Cooper continued her hot streak, reaching double-digit scoring for the 7th time this season to help the Sparks battle back and forth with the Mercury. In her first game back from a sternum injury, Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, scored 12 first-half points. Taurasi became the first player in WNBA history to reach 9,000 career points. The Sparks shot the ball well from the field in the first half (47.1%) but struggled to generate second-chance points with just one offensive rebound. Brittney Sykes put up six points off the bench and her layup tied the game at 40-40 with a little over a minute left in the first half. Phoenix responded with a 7-3 run to end the half up 47-43.

Erica Wheeler started the third quarter with back-to-back baskets to tie the game at 47-47. Phoenix again responded with an 8-2 run to force a timeout from GM/HC Derek Fisher with 5:47 left in the third quarter and the Sparks trailing 55-49. The Sparks were unable to contain Taurasi, who nailed three 3- pointers in the closing minutes in the period to create separation for Phoenix, as the Sparks entered the fourth quarter down 69-55.

The fourth quarter saw the Mercury extend their lead to as many as 18 points. Sparks rookie Arella Guirantes was able to see some extended time after not playing the past two games. Te’a Cooper crossed the 20-point threshold for her second consecutive game.

The Sparks travel back home Sunday night and will take on the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. PT on Amazon Prime and Spectrum SportsNet.