In an intense back-and-forth battle Friday night at Crypto.com Arena, the Sparks ultimately suffered a 76-75 loss to the Indiana Fever that hindered their push for a playoff spot.
The Sparks (17-20) opened strong, controlling the pace in the first quarter and maintaining their edge through the first half. They closed the second quarter with a 47-44 lead, fueled by efficient shooting and steady defense.
But after halftime, Indiana (21-19) found its scoring momentum and shifted the game. The Fever surged in the third quarter, briefly taking command, before the Sparks fought back to close the period ahead 58-57.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark celebrates her team’s last-minute win as frustrated Sparks players walk off the court Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
The Sparks, however, unraveled in the final 30 seconds of the game.
Aliyah Boston grabbed an offensive rebound with 20 seconds remaining and the Sparks ahead by one point. She set up Sims, a former Spark who drove and scored what became the game winner with 13.6 seconds left.
After a Sparks timeout, Boston stole Kelsey Plum’s bad pass with 3.8 seconds remaining. The Sparks tried to foul to regain possession, but they ran out of time to put up another shot.
It was a costly setback for the Sparks, who remain in ninth place with seven games left in the regular season. They trail the Golden State Valkyries by two games for the eighth and final playoff spot.
Indiana Fever forward Natasha Howard drives to the basket while being guarded by Sparks forward Dearica Hamby Friday at Crypto.com Arena.
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
“We’re not going to quit, I promise you that,” Sparks coach Coach Lynn Roberts said. “I trust these guys. They want to win and they’re upset that we lost. And we have a choice — we can emotionally, mentally check out and just kind of go through the motions or we can dig down. And I know these guys are going to dig down.”
Roberts praised Azurá Stevens, who led the Sparks with 17 points and six rebounds, and Rae Burrell, who added 12 points and two rebounds. Plum contributed 12 points, three rebounds and three assists.
“Rae brought some serious life there, especially in the third, when they went up six or seven and then she sparked a little run there,” Roberts said. “I thought Azurá was fantastic tonight in terms of her aggressiveness,”
With Caitlin Clark sidelined for the 18th straight game, Indiana leaned on Boston and Sims to carry the load. Boston delivered 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Sims finished with 21 points and six rebounds.
The Sparks’ next game is against the Washington Mystics Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.
