The Chicago Sky will have to wait to grab their first win of the season.
Kelsey Plum had another stellar game as she and the Los Angeles Sparks used the 3-point ball often to snap a three-game losing streak and beat Chicago, 91-78.
It’s been a rough start to the season for Chicago with its two opening losses complete blowouts by a combined 60 points. Sunday in Los Angeles looked much better for the Sky as they were down by just one point about midway through the third quarter. But the Sparks started knocking down a flurry of 3-pointers and a 20-6 run was enough to create a deficit Chicago couldn’t recover from.
The Sky have now lost three straight games by double digits.
Plum was again the star of the night with 28 points on 9-for-18 shooting, including a 6-for-10 mark from 3-point land. Azura Stevens added 24 points.
Despite the loss, Angel Reese had a solid bounce-back performance after one of the toughest games of her young career. She had a team-high 13 points and found a rhythm near the bucket with all made shots coming in the paint. Reese also added 12 rebounds for another double-double performance.
Now at 0-3, Chicago remains alongside the Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings as the only winless teams in the league. The next chance for the Sky to get in the win column will come Tuesday on the road against the Phoenix Mercury.
Sky vs. Sparks highlights
Sparks cruise to victory
Chicago isn’t able to get back into the game and Los Angeles wins 91-78.
Sparks respond with own run
Just when it looks like the Sky are making it a close game, Los Angeles jumps back on the gas pedal to widen the lead. The Sparks responded with an 8-0 run to make it an 84-71 game with less than five minutes to go.
Sky pushing with late run
Chicago isn’t out of this one yet. It starts the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to five points.
End of 3Q: Sparks 76, Sky 64
Los Angeles is letting it fly from deep as the 3-point shot was big in the Sparks strengthening their lead against Chicago.
The Sky made it a one-point game with six minutes left in the third, then the Sparks went on a 20-6 run for a 15-point lead, the largest of the game. The run included four 3-pointers, three of which came from Kelsey Plum. She has 24 points with six 3-pointers. The deep shot has been working for Los Angeles with 13 made 3-pointers so far on 26 attempts.
Angel Reese is one of three Chicago players, alongside Courtney Vandersloot and Rebecca Allen, with 11 points.
End of 2Q: Sparks 43, Sky 39
Chicago got out to a great start to the second quarter but Los Angeles regrouped and reclaimed the lead just before halftime. The Sky scored the first seven points of the quarter as part of a 12-4 run to take a six-point lead, and Los Angeles later responded with a 7-0 run to flip the script.
Chicago has done most of its damage in the paint, and Los Angeles is hitting deep shots with five 3-pointers made so far. The Sparks have also been succeeding in turning Chicago turnovers into points.
Odyssey Sims leads all scorers with 11 points, with Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby each with seven points. Angel Reese has eight points for Chicago, which has gotten a great spark from Rebecca Allen off the bench with eight points.
End of 1Q: Sparks 21, Sky 19
It’s been a close one to start in Los Angeles with the Sparks holding a two-point lead after 10 minutes.
The Sparks have gotten contributions from nearly everyone as eight of the nine players to enter the game for Los Angeles have recorded points. But so far, the leading scorer is Angel Reese with six points on 2-for-4 shooting, a positive sign for the second-year star following her tough outing against New York on Thursday.
Chicago Sky lineup
Courtney Vandersloot, guard
Ariel Atkins, guard
Kia Nurse, guard
Angel Reese, forward
Kamilla Cardoso, center
Los Angeles Sparks lineup
Odyssey Sims, guard
Kelsey Plum, guard
Sarah Ashlee Barker, guard
Dearica Hamby, forward
Azura Stevens, center
What time is Sparks vs. Sky?
The matchup between the Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks tips off Sunday, May 25 at 6 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
How to watch Sparks vs. Sky game: TV, stream
Time: 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT
Location: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles
TV (national): WNBA League Pass
Stream: Fubo
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