Sparks receive their championship rings, then beat Mystics 99-89
- Share via
Nneka Ogwumike scored 23 points, rookie Sydney Wiese added 22 — hitting six 3-pointers, and the Sparks beat the Washington Mystics 99-89 on Friday night.
Before the game, Los Angeles received its 2016 championship rings.
Los Angeles had a 74-53 lead with 4:16 left in the third quarter but Washington closed on a 17-4 run, capped by Tayler Hill’s jumper just before the buzzer, to pull to 78-70. Washington forward Elena Delle Donne scored eight points in the quarter.
The Sparks started the fourth-quarter scoring and the Mystics didn’t get closer than seven points the rest of the way.
Candace Parker and Essence Carson made their season debuts for Los Angeles (2-0) after returning from the Turkish League. Parker had 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists, Chelsea Gray scored 16 and Alana Beard added 12 points.
Los Angeles led 59-48 at halftime after shooting 65.6 percent. Wiese started 7 of 7, with five 3-pointers, in her first nine minutes. Delle Donne led three Mystic starters in double figures with 15. Delle Donne finished with 27 points for Washington (1-1) and Hill added 20. Kristi Toliver scored 15 points in her return to Los Angeles where she spent seven seasons.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
