The Los Angeles Sparks beat the Phoenix Mercury 88-83 on Tuesday night. The win was not enough to keep their season alive. Seattle’s victory over Golden State officially eliminated the Sparks from WNBA playoff contention.
The game was a hard-fought battle with 17 lead changes. Dearica Hamby led the Sparks with a powerful 25-point performance.
Hamby’s Fourth Quarter Heroics Seal Win
Dearica Hamby took over the game in the final period. She scored 16 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter. Her layup with 4:16 left put the Sparks ahead for good.
Hamby followed that with a crucial three-point play. She added another with just over a minute remaining. According to Associated Press game data, her efforts secured the narrow road victory.
Rae Burrell provided a massive spark off the bench. She scored a career-high 20 points for Los Angeles. Kelsey Plum also contributed 17 points in the winning effort.
Playoff Picture Solidifies for Mercury and League
The outcome had different meanings for each team. For the Sparks, it was a bittersweet end to their postseason chase. For the Mercury, the game served as a tune-up.
Phoenix rested its starters, including Alyssa Thomas, in the fourth quarter. Thomas still recorded her eighth triple-double of the season. The Mercury are locked into the fourth seed.
They will now host the fifth-seeded New York Liberty. The best-of-three series begins this Sunday. The Liberty are the defending WNBA champions.
The Sparks’ season concludes with a dramatic but ultimately futile win. Their playoff elimination underscores the intense competition within the league this year.
Info at your fingertips
Why were the Sparks eliminated even though they won?
Their playoff fate depended on another game. They needed the Seattle Storm to lose to Golden State. Seattle won their game, ending the Sparks’ chances.
Who was the standout player for the Sparks?
Dearica Hamby was phenomenal, scoring 25 points. Rae Burrell also had a career night with 20 points coming off the bench.
What is next for the Phoenix Mercury?
As the fourth seed, they will host the fifth-seeded New York Liberty. The first game of their playoff series is on Sunday.
Did any Mercury player achieve a notable stat?
Yes, Alyssa Thomas recorded a triple-double. She finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Trusted Sources
Associated Press
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