The Sparks lost a Sunday matinée against the Wings, 90-82, further extending their losing streak to four.
With Kelsey Plum out, it’s been difficult for LA to win close contests. They’ve gotten solid performances from Rae Burrell, the [franchise-leading scorer, Nneka Ogwumike](/los-angeles-sparks-wnba/122677/nneka-ogwumike-la-sparks-lisa-leslie-all-time-scorer-franchise) and Dearica Hamby, but they are now on a four-game losing streak. It’s going to be hard to overcome these losses if Plum doesn’t return soon.
LA’s offense got started with a midrange jumper by Nneka. Hamby also converted on a layup to make it a four-point lead early for the Sparks. The lead quickly disappeared as Dallas scored five in a row. Awak Kuier was having a strong start for the Wings with four points.
Dallas was up by three at the 4:51 mark.
Azzi Fudd started heating up and drained two triples for the Wings. Los Angeles made it a two-point affair thanks to production from Hamby and Erica Wheeler, but LA gave up back-to-back three-point plays that gave the Wings a bigger lead.
At the end of the first, the purple and gold were down by 10.
Jihyun Park started the second period by scoring on an impressive layup. Aziaha James responded with a layup on the other end. Wheeler ignited for four points for Los Angeles. The Sparks called a timeout, and out of that break, Nneka scored.
Paige Bueckers now had 12 points, mostly scoring inside the arc.
Chance Gray knocked down her second 3-pointer, which was much needed for LA. Los Angeles wasn’t in double figures with their turnovers just yet, but did have eight in the half. Hamby, Park and Ariel Atkins combined for six as the half was winding down to make it a six-point deficit for the Sparks at halftime.
Hamby put LA on the board early in the third period with a layup. Fuzz responded with a jumper on the other end. Hamby continued her dominant play, scoring on a hook shot, pushing her point total to 12 points. Burrell joined the scoring by converting on a layup. At the 5:54 mark, the purple and gold were down by just one. Nneka put the Sparks in the lead with a basket inside.
Both teams exchanged leads as the quarter wound down.
Los Angeles had taken the momentum until the Wings put their foot on the gas pedal for a 7-0 scoring run. Cameron Brink put a stop to that run with her defense, blocking two shots and draining a triple.
At the end of the third, the Sparks were down by five.
Bueckers opened the final frame with a triple for Dallas. On the other end, Hamby scored on a layup. She’s now at 14 points. Brink splashed another 3-pointer for LA. Both teams were cooking, shooting an identical 4-8 from the field.
At the 5:53 mark, the Wings were up by six.
Bueckers scored on another jumper, but a pair of baskets from Nneka and Hamby made it a four-point deficit for Los Angeles. Dallas had to call a timeout, and out of the break, they missed a few shots, but Arike Ogunbowale converted on a layup to put the Wings up by eight with 2:31 left.
Out of a Sparks timeout, Atkins drained a 3-pointer. LA was still very much in it, despite Jessica Shepard converting on a layup, because Burrell knocked down a triple as a response.
Unfortunately for Los Angeles, Ogunbowale scored four straight to put the finishing touches on the win for Dallas
Hamby finished with 16 points, five rebounds and three assists. Nneka ended with 17 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Brink scored 10 points with six rebounds and three blocks
Atkins pitched in with nine points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals. Burrell netted nine points with three assists. Wheeler had nine points with 10 assists.
The Sparks’ next game will be against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday at 12:00 PM PT.
**_You can follow Karin on Twitter at_** [**_@KarinAbcarians_**](https://twitter.com/KarinAbcarians)**_._**