Sparks turn Dallas lesson into Portland response

LOS ANGELES, CA (News4usOnline)  — The Los Angeles Sparks had the start against the Dallas Wings, but not the finish.

Two days later against the Portland Fire, they turned that lesson into a response.

After falling 104-96 to Dallas in a Commissioner’s Cup matchup, the Sparks came back Sunday and defeated Portland 89-72 at Crypto.com Arena in front of an announced crowd of 11,227. The win was not just about the final score. The win was about the way Los Angeles defended, controlled the glass and showed the discipline head coach Lynne Roberts has been asking for.

Against Dallas, the Sparks led 78-77 through three quarters before the Wings outscored them 27-18 in the fourth. Dallas made the stronger plays late, with Arike Ogunbowale scoring 30 points, Paige Bueckers adding 18 points and a career-high 14 assists, and Jessica Shepard finishing with 22 points and 15 rebounds.

Roberts said after that loss that the final minutes told the story.

“In the last four minutes, they willed it to happen, and we didn’t,” Roberts said. “That’s unfortunate, but there are positives to take from it.”

There were positives. Kelsey Plum returned and scored 27 points. Ariel Atkins added 16. Dearica Hamby finished with 15. Nneka Ogwumike had a double-double, and Cameron Brink added 10 points off the bench.

But the lesson was clear: playing well in stretches is not enough if the Sparks do not finish with discipline.

Against Portland, that message landed.

The Sparks were led by Hamby, who finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds on 8-for-13 shooting. Ogwumike added 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting and grabbed 17 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds and 11 defensive rebounds.

Together, Hamby and Ogwumike gave Los Angeles the type of frontcourt presence that can carry a game. The Sparks finished with 44 points in the paint, while Portland had 42.

The biggest separation came in the third quarter, when Los Angeles held Portland to only 12 points. That defensive stretch helped the Sparks build their largest lead to 18 and gave them control of the game.

After the game, Roberts said discipline is what allows the Sparks to grow.

“When we focus on the discipline to do the little things for each other, that’s how you build trust out there as a unit,” Roberts said.

That trust showed in the way Los Angeles defended. The Sparks forced Portland into tough possessions, stayed connected longer and did not let the game slip the way it did against Dallas.

Ogwumike said the Sparks bought into the defensive schemes and leaned into what was working.

“One thing that we’ve really been adamant about is getting the schemes that the coaches put us in and adhering to those schemes,” Ogwumike said.

She said the Sparks started getting stops and played with more purpose.

“We were motivated,” Ogwumike said. “We were playing for each other.”

Then she made the clearest point of the night.

“Offense is offense, but defense is really where it’s at,” Ogwumike said. “Today, I think we did a really good job of not leaving any gas in the tank on the defensive end.”

Plum added 16 points on 50 percent shooting and finished with seven assists. Erica Wheeler and Ariel Atkins each contributed six points. Rae Burrell gave the Sparks important bench production, and Kate Martin came off the bench with timely shot-making, including a big three.

Brink was limited to two points after getting into foul trouble with four fouls, and Chance Gray added two points. But Gray’s impact was still noticed by her veterans. After the game, Hamby spoke about Gray’s maturity and confidence, even as the rookie continues learning the league.

“Chance is super mature for being a rookie,” Hamby said. “She’s confident in her shot. She’s confident in her defense.”

Hamby said Gray has taken advantage of her opportunities and continues to grow within the team.

“She’s taken advantage of the opportunity, and she’s my little partner, so I’m proud of her,” Hamby said.

Ogwumike also said protecting home court has to become part of the Sparks’ standard.

“Obviously, winning at home is imperative,” Ogwumike said. “It’s not just because you need to win at home, but when it gets down to the season, you’re playing for home-court advantage because there is an advantage there.”

“We have a very iconic arena, as well,” Ogwumike said. “There’s so much here that the fans bring.”

That was the difference between Friday and Sunday.

Against Dallas, the Sparks had the lead but not the close. Against Portland, they had the defensive quarter, the rebounding, the veteran production and the discipline to finish.

With the win, the Sparks also raised $5,000 for Brotherhood Crusade through the Commissioner’s Cup.

Cover Art/Lead Image: Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby getting work in during warm-ups before a WNBA game against the Las Vegas Aces. File photo/Ronny Ramsey/News4usOnline