LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Down to just eight active players, the Sparks completed a 16-point comeback to defeat the Dallas Wings 69-64 in a matinee at Staples Center for camp day. After going 2-1 on the road and picking up a loss at Dallas, the Sparks stretched their win streak to three games and improved to 10-7 on the season. With the victory, the Sparks moved to 5-2 at home this season, including three home victories in a row. Dallas’ defeat marks their fourth consecutive loss as they move to 0-9 on the road this season.
Nneka Ogwumike led the Sparks with 22 points and seven rebounds, while rookie Marina Mabrey finished with 12 points, 10 of which were in the first half. The Wings showed a balanced attack led by Isabelle Harrison’s 14 points and Allisha Gray’s 11, but the Sparks’ dominant third quarter performance, where Los Angeles outscored Dallas 24-9, led to the Sparks regaining the lead and never giving it back.
The Sparks were able to hold Dallas’ offense to only 64 points, which is the least amount of points the Sparks have given up in a game this season. The Wings shot 39.1% from the field including 29.4% from beyond the arc. Los Angeles’ stifling second half defense held Dallas to only 22 points after giving up 42 points in the first half.
After being named an All-Star for the sixth time in her career, forward Nneka Ogwumike led the charge for the Sparks, finishing with 22 points, 15 coming in the second half. Ogwumike was also perfect from the free throw line, making all nine of her free throws.
In the first quarter, the Wings came out aggressive. With the Sparks missing Candace Parker, Riquna Williams, Alexis Jones, Maria Vadeeva and Alana Beard, they struggled to get into a groove out of the gate. Sparks’ All-Star starter Chelsea Gray found herself in early foul trouble, picking up two quick fouls. Sydney Weise began the game with a three pointer, giving the Sparks an early 7-6 lead. The Sparks ended the first quarter down 20-16. Dallas scored 22 points in the second quarter and led 42-32 at halftime. Imani McGee-Stafford led the Wings’ effort with nine points.
After the first half, The Sparks came out hungry and ready to win. Dallas’ nine points in the third quarter are the least amount of points the Sparks have given up in a quarter this season, excluding overtime.
The Sparks jumped out of halftime to a barrage of scoring in the third quarter. Nneka Ogwumike led the team in the third quarter with 13 points, including go-ahead free-throws to give the Sparks their first lead since the first quarter. Despite Gray picking up three fouls in the first half to put her in early foul trouble, she ended with a well-balanced performance, scoring 11 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists.
The 16-point comeback is the largest come from behind victory for the Sparks this season.