Sparks squander 18-point lead in loss to Mercury

LOS ANGELES — The Sparks were hot early but blew an 18-point lead in a disappointing 85-80 loss to the Phoenix Mercury at Crypto.com Arena Sunday.

Sparks guard Odyssey Sims scored 14 of her game-high 32 points in the first quarter.

However, it was a tale of two halves for the Sparks, who dropped to 2-6 overall, with their losing skid extending to three games.

“We keep saying the same things over and over,” Sims said. “We’re kind of beating a dead horse at this point but it’s going to be less talking about it and more doing it. Applying it starts in practice and transition on the court. At some point, we’ve got to see some improvement and we’ve got to be better all around.”

The Sparks shot 36.6% in the game (26 for 71), including 22.9% from beyond the arc (8 for 35). The Sparks missed all 15 of their 3-point attempts in the second half.

“This game came down to us not shooting great,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said after the game.

The Sparks led 50-37 at halftime but were outscored by a 24-9 margin in the third and trailed 61-59 heading into the fourth quarter.

“We know the third quarter has been our struggle right now,” Sims continued. “So we’re going to continue to approach every game like we’ve been approaching game 1, continue to figure out what we can do. There’s not anything specifically, we just have to figure it out. Hopefully, sooner than later.”

Sims’ and-one put the Sparks back up 62-61 with 9:41 left in the fourth. Sims made two free throws to the Sparks back up 67-65 with 7:23 remaining.

“She’s been incredible,” said Sparks guard Kelsey Plum when asked about Sims’ impact this season. “She’s one of the fiercest competitors in the league. She plays both side of the ball.”

Satou Sabally’s 3-pointer gave Phoenix a 70-67 lead with 6:24 left in the fourth.

Dearica Hamby’s and-one tied the game at 74 with 4:11 to go.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Sabally and rookie guard Monique Akoa Makani gave Phoenix an 80-74 lead with 2:36 left. Plum made four straight free throws to make it 80-78. Plum forced a jump ball with Phoenix guard Sami Whitcomb. The Sparks regained possession down two with a minute to go. Plum missed what would have been a go-ahead 3-pointer and a potential game-tying mid-range jumper. The Sparks retain possession and trailed 80-78 with 29.5 remaining. However, the Sparks did not get a shot off, instead turning the ball over. Phoenix rookie guard Kitija Laksa was fouled and made both free throws. The Sparks trailed 82-78 with 18.9 to go.

Sims was fouled with 14.2 seconds left in regulation. She made both free throws. The Sparks trailed 82-80.

Phoenix’s 29-year-old rookie forward Kathryn Westbeld was fouled with 9.9 seconds left and calmly made both free throws. The Sparks trailed 84-80. Hamby was fouled with 8.5 seconds remaining and missed both free throws. Sabally made one of two free throws with 6.4 to go. Plum missed a desperation 3-pointer as time expired.

Plum and Hamby each scored 15 points.

“I just missed,” Plum explained after shooting 4 of 19 from the field, including 2 of 10 from beyond the arc. “It’s not anything that I haven’t seen all year. I feel like I didn’t have any legs.”

The Sparks’ defense stifled Phoenix in the first half, holding the road team to 28.6% shooting in the first half (10 for 35). Phoenix kept within striking distance by going 12 for 13 at the free throws before halftime.

In the second half, Phoenix started with a 10-1 run, featuring Whitcomb’s 3-pointer from the logo. Westbeld’s layup cut it to 51-47 with 8:13 remaining in the third quarter.

Former Sparks center Kalani Brown, the team’s first-round selection in 2019, made it 55-52 with 3:30 left in the third. Westbeld’s 3-pointer gave Phoenix a 58-57 lead with 2:11 remaining in the third.

The Sparks started a three-point guard lineup against Phoenix, pairing Sims and Plum and with Julie Allemand (six assists) in the backcourt with Hamby and center Azurá Stevens in the frontcourt.

“(Allemand) plays with a great pace,” Plum explained. “She makes quick decisions, she’s moving, she’s finding people and (Odyssey) and I can play off the ball, like Julie can play on the ball, so we’re going to continue to get comfortable with each other… I have a lot of faith that we will be there when we need to be there.”

Rookie guard Sarah Ashlee Barker, who started five of the team’s first seven games due to injuries, came off the bench for the first time in two weeks. Barker scored six points.

However, veteran forward Emma Cannon, who finished with three points, was the first reserve to enter Sunday’s game.

The contest kicked off Commissioner’s Cup in-season tournament play, as it was the second time the Sparks played the Mercury, losing 89-86 in Phoenix on May 21.

“It doesn’t matter who we’re playing,” Roberts said before the game. “There’s got to be an intensity and a focus and a commitment to doing the simple things. Simple doesn’t mean easy. Sprinting back in transition isn’t easy but it’s simple. We’ve got to do the simple things for 40 minutes to give ourselves a good shot.”

Meanwhile, Sparks forward Rickea Jackson missed her second consecutive game on the injury report under the designation of not with the team for personal reasons.

Coach Roberts said the Sparks are supporting Jackson.

“Rickea (Jackson) is a big part of our organization and our team,” Roberts said before the game. “She’s taking personal time and we support her. We’re excited to get her back when she’s ready to be back.”

Roberts is off to a 2-6 start in her first season as a head coach in the WNBA. On numerous occasions, she said she’s still adjusting to the reality of limited practice time and starting the season by playing eight games in a 16-day span.

“I feel a lot more comfortable in Year 2,” Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts said. “I’m sure (Coach Roberts) will too.”

Phoenix (5-2) played without All-Star forwards Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper, both of whom are dealing with leg injuries. They were led by Sabally with 24 points and nine rebounds. Westbeld and Laksa each scored 15 points. Whitcomb had 11 points. Makani added 10 points.

Sims’ 3-pointer gave the Sparks a 27-17 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Barker made consecutive corner 3-pointers in front of the Sparks bench, which extended her team’s lead to 40-25 with 6:22 left in the second quarter. The Sparks led 50-37 at halftime. Sims scored 17 points in the first half.

The Sparks shot 48.8% in the first half (20 for 41), including 40% from beyond the arc (8 for 20).

UP NEXT

The Sparks will play at Dallas on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Sparks postgame press conference after the team’s 85-80 loss at home to the Phoenix Mercury.

The Sparks’ biggest lead was 18 points in the second quarter. pic.twitter.com/vl08MqdCgj

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 2, 2025

Los Angeles Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts on Rickea Jackson taking personal time away from the team and why the Sparks need to do the simple things for 40 minutes to have a good shot against the Phoenix Mercury. pic.twitter.com/YPFtxqOwF4

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 1, 2025

Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts pregame press conference before playing the Los Angeles Sparks. pic.twitter.com/78NwbQhUP6

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 1, 2025