The Sparks gained a crucial sport Sunday, defeating the Washington Mystics 81-78 to maintain their slim playoff hopes alive heading into the ultimate two weeks of the common season.
Washington hit a trio of three-pointers within the remaining minute, however Dearica Hamby‘s jumper within the paint and Kelsey Plum‘s two free throws within the remaining 20 seconds have been sufficient to seal a Sparks win.
Hamby led the Sparks with 20 factors and 12 rebounds, recording her eleventh double-double of the season. Plum added 18 factors, 4 rebounds and 7 assists. Rickea Jackson contributed 16 factors and Azurá Stevens had 12 rebounds.
“Dearica was only a beast on the boards and ending in visitors with these and-ones,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts mentioned. “She’s simply so robust and athletic.”
It was a crucial win for a ninth-place Sparks group that’s two video games behind the Indiana Fever for the ultimate playoff spot with six video games remaining.
The Sparks (18-20) most likely might want to win all of their remaining video games to have an opportunity on the postseason. And their remaining slate isn’t straightforward. It contains back-to-back highway checks towards Atlanta this week and video games towards Phoenix and Las Vegas to shut the common season.
Additionally they want the Fever (21-19), Valkyries (21-18) and Seattle Storm (22-19) to lose. Golden State, which beat Indiana on Sunday night time to maneuver forward of Seattle and into sixth, additionally owns the playoff tiebreaker after successful the season collection towards the Sparks.
A win over Seattle on Monday night time would assist the Sparks’ trigger.
Earlier than Sunday’s win, Roberts wished to see higher pacing from her group. She received that, together with higher shot execution. Sadly, 13 turnovers allowed the Mystics to remain on the Sparks’ heels a lot of the sport.
The Sparks got here out robust within the first quarter, constructing a double-digit lead of 13 factors.
Washington (16-25) responded within the second quarter and tied the sport 24-24. Plum then break up a pair of free throws to place the Sparks forward they usually pulled away to take a 40-31 lead by halftime.
The Sparks continued to remain forward within the third quarter, however six factors from Kiki Iriafen coupled with a Stefanie Dolson three-pointer gave Washington a 56-55 lead with 8:21 left. The Sparks retook the lead earlier than a Sonia Citron three-pointer tied the rating at 61-61 with 5:35 remaining.
Hamby then made a few free throws and scored on a two-foot layup to place the Sparks forward for good.
Iriafen completed with 22 factors and 13 rebounds, securing her fifteenth double-double of the season. Shakira Austin added 11 factors and 7 rebounds. Citron chipped in 12 factors.
With some a lot at stake in days forward, Stevens is aware of the Sparks can’t afford to lose their focus.
“We all know the circumstances, however all we will management is the subsequent possession,” Stevens mentioned. “Simply taking it daily and actually specializing in us, our protection, our rebounding, our tempo on offense.”
Roberts additionally wish to see extra from her gamers Monday night time towards Seattle.
“We’ve received to be higher at placing groups away and never making it an in depth sport, however we took care of enterprise [tonight],” Roberts mentioned.
