If you’ve been following this season, their final home game went exactly as expected.
The Sparks started strong, dominating in rebounding and posting a notable 12-2 advantage in second-chance points to take an eight-point lead by halftime. Then they had an absolutely awful third quarter, and the Phoenix Mercury stormed back to beat the Sparks 85-81 to end their home schedule with a team-tying eighth straight loss.
After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Sparks took control of the game, leading 10-2 at the start of the second quarter, thanks in large part to strong performances from and off the bench, who tied with Dearica Hamby for the team lead with nine points each at halftime. Rekea Jackson also began to pick up steam in the second half, making 4 of 4 free throws.
The Sparks were in complete control of the game, with Brittney Griner being the only Mercury player to score five or more points (14) in the first half. But that all changed in the seconds before halftime when Griner elbowed Jackson, who fought back. The two got face-to-face and shoved each other. After a lengthy official review, a double technical foul was called and both Jackson and Griner were ejected.
As if on cue, things started to fall apart for the Sparks as the second half began. The Mercury quickly erased the Sparks’ lead with a 10-2 run, ending the quarter on a 9-4 run to get back into double figures. In Griner’s absence, 20-year veteran Diana Taurasi (13 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists), Sophie Cunningham (13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) and Natasha Cloud (11 points, 11 assists) led the Mercury in scoring.
Meanwhile, in the third quarter, things just didn’t go well for the Sparks. They committed eight turnovers, matching their first half total. The ball and the game got away from them, and they gave up 35 points on 20 total turnovers.
The loss marks the end of the Sparks’ home slate, giving them a dismal 5-15 record at Crypto.com Arena this season, with their final game being Thursday against the Minnesota Lynx.
