Sparks fail to make history in 91-74 loss to Dream
The Sparks fell short of the fastest start in WNBA history Sunday when they lost to the Atlanta Dream, 91-74.
The Sparks (20-2) had tied the 1998 Houston Comets, who finished the regular season 27-3, for the fastest start. The loss also snapped the Sparks’ WNBA record nine-game road winning streak to open a season.
Layshia Clarendon had 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Atlanta. Angel McCoughtry had 17 points, Bria Holmes scored a career-high-tying 15 and Tiffany Hayes added 14 points for the Dream (12-11). Elizabeth Williams had nine points and 12 rebounds as Atlanta outrebounded the Sparks, 42-34. It was Holmes’ second career start.
McCoughtry scored five straight points during a 12-4 run to close the third quarter, giving the Dream their biggest lead to that point, 69-57, going into the fourth.
After Candace Parker hit a three and Chelsea Gray made a layup to pull the Sparks within nine, Clarendon converted a three-point play to make it 78-66 with 5:56 left and Atlanta led by double figures the rest of the way.
Nneka Ogwumike had 26 points on eight-for-11 shooting, and 12 rebounds for the Sparks. Parker added 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
The Sparks, who came in allowing 75.1 points per game, gave up their second-highest point total this season.
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