The Sparks battled through 17 lead changes and six ties to earn an 87-83 road victory over the Mercury on Tuesday, snapping a seven-game losing streak to Phoenix. Despite the win, Los Angeles’ playoff hopes were dashed after the Valkyries blew a late 10-point lead, falling to the Storm.

Dearica Hamby powered the Sparks with a game-high 25 points (8-for-15 FG, 9-for-10 FT), adding nine rebounds and five assists. Hamby‘s 16 points in the fourth quarter marked a career high for scoring in a single period. She also climbed the franchise record books, moving ahead of Chelsea Gray for ninth in steals and surpassing Tamecka Dixon for seventh in offensive rebounds.

Rae Burrell set a career with 20 points (7-for-12 FG, 2-for-4 3PT, 4-for-4 FT) and matched her career high for made field goals in a season-high 29 minutes. The fourth-year wing also recorded five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in a well-rounded performance.

Kelsey Plum connected on four three-pointers en route to 17 points, five assists and one steal. The veteran guard moved her past Kara Lawson for 13th on the WNBA’s all-time three-pointers made list. Tuesday’s shooting display from deep (4-for-8 3PT) marked her eighth 4+ 3PM performance of the season.

Azurá Stevens overtook Nneka Ogwumike for sole possession of ninth on the franchise’s three-pointers made list. She posted eight points, nine rebounds, three assists and one steal to go with a game-high +15 rating.

Second-year forward Cameron Brink made her defensive presence felt with four points, six rebounds, two blocks and two steals in just 15 minutes played. The outing marked the 17th multi-block game of Brink’s career in 33 games and her fifth time recording multiple blocks and multiple steals in the same contest.

As a team, Los Angeles assisted on 21 of their 29 made field goals and held Phoenix to 41.7% shooting from the field and 33.3% from deep. Additionally, the Sparks limited the Mercury to zero fast break points while scoring nine themselves. Los Angeles finished the season 12-10 on the road,

QUOTES OF THE NIGHT:

Head Coach Lynne Roberts

On accomplishments and challenges of the season:

“[We have] 21 wins. The league is as good as it’s ever been. There’s not a year in the history that 21 wins doesn’t get you in the playoffs. 21 wins in a league that is just competitive from top to bottom. I’m proud of our team for sticking together and sticking with me. They’ve bought in, and they’re playing their tails off, and everyone’s tired. Phoenix, L.A., everybody [is] banged up and fighting injuries. These guys, they’re giving everything they can, and I’m very proud of that. I’m proud of the culture we have in the locker room. They’re for each other. There’s genuine happiness for each other, and we have each other’s back. I’m proud of that. We’re on our way, right? I hope to keep this group together… I love this group. What are things we could have done better? [Dearica Hamby] pointed at it, there’s some games I’d love to have back. But that’s the way it works, and what you learn from that is you can’t just think, ‘oh, it’ll be fine, it’s no big deal, it’s June.’ Those games matter. And we will learn from that, and that will be put in our pocket for next season, when we’re feeling a little like we’ve got to find our way… There’s 174 things that I’m sure that I’ll look back on and want to do better. But right now, I’m just proud of this group, and what we have achieved, and one more game.”

Rae Burrell

On her aggressiveness Tuesday:

“We were trying to make the playoffs, and we knew that we needed this game. I’m always just trying to come in and do whatever the team needs me to do and be that energy-shifter. My teammates and my coach are always just encouraging me to stay aggressive, so, just having that confidence from them really helps me as well. But yeah, just doing whatever I can to help the team.”

Dearica Hamby

On the team’s success despite missing the playoffs this year:

“I came here two years ago and… the plan [was] the long-term build and to be a part of it. I want to be here. I feel like we took steps in the right direction. I think it’s a little frustrating, because you look at some of the games, and we were two games away, but I could count on two hands how many games that we gave up. So, [I] still [feel] positive, though, and [it’s] good momentum for the future.”

What’s Next?:

The Sparks conclude their regular season Thursday, Sept. 11 (7 p.m. PT), returning home to face the Aces. With a victory in the final game, Los Angeles will end the season on a three-game winning streak and reach the .500 mark for the first time since May 18 when it was 1-1.

Related News

Sparks Honoring Black Lives Matter: Sandra Bland

All 11 Pro Sports Teams in Greater Los Angeles Area Unite As Allies in New Collaboration - The Alliance: Los Angeles - to Utilize Sport for Social Justice

Los Angeles Sparks Announce Social Justice Community Pillar

Chiney Ogwumike To Opt Out of 2020 WNBA Season