Storm stage big comeback to hand Sparks sixth-straight loss

Despite four players in double figures, the Sparks dropped their sixth game in a row, falling to the Seattle Storm.

The Sparks blow a 13-point lead, behind a huge game from Seattle’s Skylar Diggins Smith, to lose their sixth game in a row, 90-82, Wednesday night.

Azurá Stevens had a stellar game again, scoring 18 points with her 15 rebounds. She went 4-6 from behind the arc. Rickea Jackson continued her sizzling finish to the season with 22 points and seven rebounds. Odyssey Sims pitched in with 16 points and Rae Burrell had 14.

Dearica Hamby made history by passing Sparks legend Lisa Leslie to set the team's single-season rebound record. She also moved into 10th overall in total rebounds in franchise history. Hamby ended the game with six points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Los Angeles began the game on a 5-0 run. As we’ve seen for most of the season, the Sparks again looked good to start a game. Former Spark Nneka Ogwumike scored five straight points to try to stop the early momentum from LA.

Jackson’s impressive play continued as she dominated the Storm with her offense. Hamby already had four assists to go with her scoring. The Sparks were up eight at the end of the quarter.

The Sparks started the second on a nice fastbreak that led to a layup by Stevens as part of her huge first half. Stevens then knocked down her third 3-pointer of the game to add to the 13-point lead for Los Angeles.

Gabby Williams started to heat up for Seattle, who had been struggling to convert on their shots. The Storm started making their shots and attacking harder. They were within seven at the four-minute mark. Stevens then tied her career high with four 3-pointers to keep LA ahead.

Seattle was still slowly creeping back into it and cut the deficit to six. Nneka converted on an and-1 to make it a three-point game. The Sparks were having a hard time stopping Williams, who was on fire offensively as Seattle tied the game going into the break.

The Storm took the lead to start the second half, but Jackson knocked down a three to put LA back up. Seattle went up by six, but the Sparks struck back and cut the deficit to four. Sims and Skylar Diggins-Smith were going back and forth.

The Sparks cut the deficit to one after a great assist from Jackson to Sims for a layup. Los Angeles was battling hard and keeping up with the Storm, who were up four. Sims was dishing dimes all over the place. Still, the Storm were up by six to end the third.

Los Angeles tied the game to start the final frame. Sims was having one of her best games as a Spark. She was attacking the paint with each possession. The team was on an 8-0 run and they jumped ahead by two.

After another tie, Jackson made a great crossover move to score a layup for LA to go back up by two. A 3-pointer by Sami Whitcomb then helped Seattle move ahead. Both teams were trading baskets back and forth.

Seattle went up by five, and it once again looked like the Sparks’ bad fourth-quarter habits were coming out.

With a minute left, the Sparks were down six and couldn’t put together a stop. Late turnovers proved costly as the game slipped away from LA late.

Key Takeaways:

Stevens has been stringing together incredibly impressive games and is in great form to carry into next season. Her rebounding has been huge for the team and has kept them playing at a high level.

Sims needs to be on a roster next season. Whether on the Sparks or another team, she’s a valuable hooper who has shown exactly what she can bring to a team with the few games she’s had with LA.

The Sparks’ next game will be against the Seattle Storm on Sunday at 3:00 PM PT.

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.