Sparks snap losing streak with win over Las Vegas Aces in thrilling overtime drama
If you’ve been following the Sparks this season the way that the Friday night thriller unfolded would have been all too familiar. A barrage of swinging threes, pick and roll action through Dearica Hamby, excellent contributions from McDonald, Talbot, and Nurse all culminating in an unlikely but poignant lead ending the third quarter setting the stage for the fourth.
Again, if you’ve been following the Sparks this season, this is also where the story typically would turn in an upsetting scoring freeze swinging to the opponent’s favor. However, this time, with this team, and a packed Crypto.com arena the Sparks ignited and put on a memorable upset that proved the grit of this team. The Aces have an unquestionably potent offense with a duo in A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, which proved to be deadly in the fourth quarter with timely drives and blocks by Wilson who ended the game with 35 points and 12 rebounds alongside Plum’s 21 points on 4-7 from three.
In a thrilling sequence Stephanie Talbot hit a huge jumper with under 10 seconds left in the fourth to tie the game and send it into over time. From there, the Sparks thrived on the momentum and support from the packed crowd making stop after stop and converting timely free throws to end the game with the win.
In the post game remarks, Hamby reflected on the stepping stone of a win like this and the role it can play in turning the season around. The Sparks hope to build on this win in their next game against the Mercury this weekend.
