Sparks knocked out of playoff contention
LOS ANGELES >> The Sparks knew what was at stake but were blown out at home by the Connecticut Sun, 93-69, on Thursday night.
The loss eliminated the Sparks (13-22) from playoff contention for the second straight year, which has only happened one other time in the organization's 26-year history, in 1997 and 1998, the team's first two years in the league.
Connecticut improved to 24-11 and was led by All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas, who had a game-high 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
“I think every game you play, even the first game of the season is a must-win situation because then you get in this situation towards the end of the season,” Sparks interim head coach Fred Williams said pregame.
Williams also said the Sparks wanted to focus on boxing out on rebounds and playing solid defense, in particular against Connecticut Sun All-Star center Jonquel Jones, who is the WNBA's reigning MVP. However, in addition to Jonquel Jones' 17 points, it was Thomas' 18 points and All-Star center Brionna Jones' 16 points and eight rebounds that really hurt the Sparks.
Connecticut forward DeWanna Bonner also had 17 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
Sparks guard Chennedy Carter played 21 minutes against Connecticut, after missing four straight games due to a “coach's decision”, per Williams.
Carter checked in off the bench with 3:55 left in the first quarter and scored on a layup 13 seconds later to pull the Sparks within four points, 15-11. Carter finished with eight points, two rebounds, one assist and three turnovers.
The Sparks trailed 25-20 at the end of the first quarter and 54-43 at halftime. They were down by as much as 27 points in the third quarter and trailed 82-57 heading into the fourth quarter.
Sparks All-Star forward Nneka Ogwumike had trouble matching Thomas and Brionna Jones inside and was held to four points and was 2 for 6 shooting in the first half. Ogwumike finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and four turnovers.