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 1-0
Game Information
- Referees:
- Marcy Williams
- Isaac Barnett
- Kelly Broomfield
2024-25 Western Conference Standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minnesota | 12 | 2 | .857 | - | L1 |
Phoenix | 11 | 4 | .733 | 1.5 | W5 |
Seattle | 9 | 6 | .600 | 3.5 | L1 |
Golden State | 7 | 7 | .500 | 5 | L1 |
Las Vegas | 7 | 8 | .467 | 5.5 | L1 |
Los Angeles | 5 | 11 | .313 | 8 | W1 |
Dallas | 4 | 12 | .250 | 9 | W1 |
2024-25 Eastern Conference Standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York | 11 | 3 | .786 | - | W1 |
Atlanta | 10 | 5 | .667 | 1.5 | L1 |
Washington | 8 | 8 | .500 | 4 | W3 |
Indiana | 7 | 8 | .467 | 4.5 | L1 |
Chicago | 4 | 10 | .286 | 7 | W1 |
Connecticut | 2 | 13 | .133 | 9.5 | L7 |