Los Angeles Sparks Shorthanded: Can L.A. Survive the Storm and Bounce Back on Their Midwest Road Trip?

— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) June 18, 2025
Sparks Coach Lynne Roberts: “Yeah we miss her, we miss Odyssey, and we miss Julie, those are
three lead guards and none of them are here.”

At halftime, the Storm were leading 37-47, but then events would take a change for the worse. In the
third quarter, the Storm outscored the Sparks 28-14 and that was all she wrote.

The Sparks had 22 turnovers much of that due to having their primary ball handlers Plum and Sims
out, but on top of that, their defense was just on a downward spiral all night!

The Sparks were trying to find any offense they could. Sparks F/C Azurá Stevens finished with a
double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Rickea Jackson scored 17 points and went a perfect 8-8
from the charity stripe. With Cameron Brink (ACL) and Rae Burrell (right knee) still recovering
from their lower leg injuries. They are going to need more of that aggressive play in that frontcourt
from Stevens and Jackson down the line for the Sparks to be able to compete.

— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) June 18, 2025
Stevens: “Yeah I just try to bring the same energy every night be consistent and try to bring the things
I need to help the team be successful.”

Storms’ Gabby Williams, Nneka Ogwumike, and Skylar Diggins led the charge. Williams a very
skilled and crafty offensive wing made her presence known hitting mid-range shots as well as putting
pressure at the rim. She would finish the game with 11 points and seven assists before leaving the
game in the fourth quarter with a hurt ankle. Diggins, while having a solid scoring output with only
15 points, it was her play-making that changed the game in the third quarter with multiple pick and
roll+pop actions. She would also finish with seven assists.

Finally, Ogwumike a very good paint player and mid-range shooter led both teams in scoring with 28
points, but the all-defensive team player made her mark on that end, especially with her assignment
on Sparks star Forward Dearica Hamby who was held to 8 points (4-8 FG) for the entire game. The
Storm had an effective game plan to force Hamby into becoming a playmaker she had three assists
with five turnovers.

The Sparks have a tough three-game Midwest road trip against the Minnesota Lynx, Indiana Fever,
and Chicago Sky. Meanwhile, the Storm will close their road trip on Friday against the Las Vegas
Aces.