Azura Stevens, Kelsey Plum each score 20-plus and the Sparks beat the short-handed Fever 85-75
INDIANAPOLIS -- — Azura Stevens scored 23 points, Kelsey Plum had 21 points and six assists, and the Los Angeles Sparks ended a four-game losing streak by beating the short-handed Indiana Fever 85-75 on Thursday night.
Indiana played without Caitlin Clark due to a groin injury. Clark had recently returned from a quad injury that kept her sidelined for five games. She returned on June 14 and scored 32 points to help the Fever to a 102-88 victory against the Liberty.
Plum made a 3-pointer with 4:13 left to give Los Angeles a 67-66 lead, its first since the opening minute of the second quarter. She added two free throws on their next possession to cap a 21-8 run spanning the third-quarter break.
Los Angeles sealed it by grabbing two offensive rebounds with under a minute to play. Dearica Hamby was fouled while making a layup to give the Sparks a 79-75 lead. She missed the free throw but Stevens grabbed it and completed a three-point play to make it 81-75 with 49 seconds left.
Hamby and Rickea Jackson each scored 14 points for Los Angeles (5-11).
Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana (7-8) with 20 points and Aliyah Boston had 12 points, 10 rebounds and five steals.
Indiana led 31-22 before Los Angeles went on an 8-0 run, capped by Shey Peddy's 3-pointer to get within one. Sophie Cunningham answered with a 3-pointer and the Fever led 34-30 at the break after forcing 15 turnovers.
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Regular Season Series
LA leads 2-0
Game Information
- Referees:
- Marcy Williams
- Isaac Barnett
- Kelly Broomfield
2024-25 Western Conference Standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minnesota | 20 | 4 | .833 | - | W2 |
Phoenix | 15 | 7 | .682 | 4 | L1 |
Seattle | 14 | 9 | .609 | 5.5 | W1 |
Las Vegas | 11 | 11 | .500 | 8 | W2 |
Golden State | 10 | 12 | .455 | 9 | L3 |
Los Angeles | 8 | 14 | .364 | 11 | W2 |
Dallas | 6 | 17 | .261 | 13.5 | L4 |
2024-25 Eastern Conference Standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York | 15 | 6 | .714 | - | W3 |
Atlanta | 13 | 9 | .591 | 2.5 | W1 |
Indiana | 12 | 11 | .522 | 4 | L1 |
Washington | 11 | 11 | .500 | 4.5 | L1 |
Chicago | 7 | 15 | .318 | 8.5 | L2 |
Connecticut | 3 | 19 | .136 | 12.5 | L3 |