The Los Angeles Sparks are officially OUT of playoff contention, gut-wrenching news after getting absolutely trounced 124-88 by the Atlanta Dream. This wasn’t just a loss, it was a season-ender, dropping the Sparks to a brutal 12-24 record. And get this: Atlanta’s 124 points were the second-most ever scored in regulation by any team, only topped by Toronto’s 125 against the Sparks earlier this year. Ouch.
Blown Out From the Jump
Man, what a nightmare start. Dearica Hamby got a layup to open for LA, but then the Dream just went on a nine-point tear, forcing the Sparks to call an early timeout. Atlanta was absolutely feeling it, with pretty much everyone but Rhyne Howard getting on the board fast. Erica Wheeler did drain a three for LA right after the break, giving us a brief flash of hope, but it didn’t last. Angel Reese and Allisha Gray combined for 10 points for Atlanta, while Wheeler was leading the Sparks with just three. Los Angeles already had eight turnovers in the first quarter, letting the Dream stretch their lead to 12. There was a full three-minute scoring drought for the Sparks until Chance Gray finally hit a triple. By the end of the first, LA was down by a staggering 22 points.
A Brutal Stretch and Slipping Away
The second period didn’t offer much relief. Wheeler got to the line early and hit both free throws, but the Dream kept pushing. Nneka Ogwumike got a midrange jumper, but it was still a rough, rough stretch. Reese was already in double figures with 16 points and Howard had 10 for Atlanta. By the 6:17 mark, the Sparks were down by 26! They started shooting a bit better from deep, hitting 41% from behind the arc by halftime, but those pesky turnovers just kept coming, reaching 10 by the half. They were getting absolutely demolished in the paint, 28-16, and were down by 21 going into the break. Not good, not good at all.
The third quarter started with a quick four points for the Sparks, but it was just a blip in what was already a disaster. Atlanta ballooned their lead to 30 points, forcing yet another LA timeout. Cameron Brink missed a triple coming out of the break, though she did make up for it with two later in the quarter as time wound down. But beyond that, things stayed rough. No Sparks player was even in double figures. Tonie Morgan off the bench was described as the one bright spot for Los Angeles, but it was a lonely one. Going into the final frame, it was just a massive deficit. Rae Burrell opened the fourth with a layup for the Sparks, but Howard was already up to 26 points for the Dream. This one was over long before the buzzer.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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