Sparks clinging to playoff spot after Sun end their six-game winning streak
Highlights from the Sparks’ 83-68 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.
Alyssa Thomas scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, DeWanna Bonner moved into seventh place on the all-time scoring list and the Connecticut Sun pulled away in the second half for an 83-68 victory over the Sparks on Sunday, snapping the Sparks’ six-game win streak.
Thomas sank six of 11 shots from the floor and five of six free throws for Connecticut (24-11), which has already clinched a playoff berth. Thomas has 25 double-doubles this season. She added eight assists. Bonner scored 12 points to break a tie with Sue Bird. Bonner has 6,815 career points. She also had eight rebounds.
Azurá Stevens finished with 17 points to lead the Sparks (15-19). The Sparks currently hold the final playoff spot, leading Chicago by two games with the Sky playing at the Seattle Storm later Sunday.
Nneka Ogwumike posted her 100th career double-double as the Sparks overcame a 16-point deficit to defeat the Atlanta Dream for their sixth consecutive win.
Stevens scored eight points to help the Sparks take a 20-19 lead into the second quarter.
Thomas had 12 points by halftime for the Sun, who shot nearly 61% from the floor (17 of 28) in taking a 43-38 lead at intermission. Stevens had 12 points in the first half for the Sparks, who shot 43% (15 of 35).
Bonner and Tiffany Hayes sank shots in the first 50 seconds of the third quarter to push Connecticut’s lead to nine. Katie Samuelson buried a three-pointer and Nneka Ogwumike followed with a three-point play to pull the Sparks to within 57-55 midway through the period.
Layshia Clarendon and Samuelson missed three-pointers with a chance to tie before Tyasha Harris connected from beyond the arc to give the Sun a two-possession lead. Thomas sank three of four free throws in the final minute, Harris hit a three-pointer with three seconds left and Connecticut took its largest lead of the game to that point into the fourth quarter at 69-57.
Rebecca Allen sank three three-pointers and scored 14 for the Sun. Natisha Hiedeman scored 12, while Hayes pitched in with 11 points and seven assists. Olivia Nelson-Ododa had 11 points and 11 boards off the bench.
Clarendon finished with 13 points and six assists for the Sparks. Ogwumike scored 11.
