Written By: Azarr Johnson
For Saturday’s game, it was a matchup between two teams heading in different directions this season.
The Los Angeles Sparks entered the game riding a three-game winning streak, including a victory the night before over the Washington Mystics. That win pushed the Sparks above .500 at 4-3, a significant accomplishment considering they started the season 1-3. The question coming into the game was whether Los Angeles, after traveling from the West Coast and playing on the second night of a back-to-back, could extend its winning streak.
The Connecticut Sun, meanwhile, were simply trying to find their next victory after returning from their own West Coast trip. The good news was that they earned their first win of the season during that trip against the Seattle Storm. The bad news was that they lost their next three games, finishing the trip 1-4 and remaining in last place in the conference. To make matters worse, the Sun had recently released rookie guard Hailey Van Lith.
For a team entering the game with a 1-8 record, the atmosphere inside PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford felt like a playoff game. What wasn’t expected was the back-and-forth battle that unfolded from the opening tip.
The Sun jumped out to a 15-8 lead, forcing the Sparks to call a timeout and regroup. Just one minute and four seconds later, Los Angeles responded with an 8-0 run to take a 16-15 lead. The Sparks’ surge forced Connecticut to call a timeout of its own to figure out how to slow down Nneka Ogwumike, who led Los Angeles with seven first-quarter points.
When play resumed, the Sun not only adjusted to contain Ogwumike but also held the rest of the Sparks scoreless until Dearica Hamby converted a layup late in the quarter. Connecticut answered offensively with a 5-0 run and closed the first period with a 20-18 advantage.
The Sun maintained the lead for much of the second quarter. During the period, Brittney Griner scored the 6,000th point of her WNBA career. However, Los Angeles responded with another run to build a 33-27 lead. Contributions from Erica Wheeler and Ariel Atkins fueled the Sparks’ surge, but Griner once again erased their momentum. She scored with 1:09 remaining in the half to tie the game at 33.
On the next possession, Griner was struck in the eye by Wheeler and briefly left the game. The injury did not deter her, as she returned to knock down her free throws and help Connecticut regain control. By halftime, the Sun had reclaimed a 39-36 lead.
Connecticut picked up right where it left off to begin the second half, extending its lead from three points to seven at 48-41. It appeared the Sun might pull away, but the Sparks refused to back down.
Los Angeles tied the game at 53 with 3:55 remaining in the third quarter and took the lead with 2:35 left. During the Sparks’ run, several questionable calls led to Sun head coach Rachid Meziane receiving a technical foul after an emotional reaction on the sideline.
Despite the adversity, Connecticut fought through the stretch and entered the fourth quarter with a 62-60 lead.
The final period was much like the third. The Sun maintained a narrow advantage for most of the quarter and eventually built their largest lead of the game at 75-66. With less than four minutes remaining, it appeared Connecticut was on its way to a comfortable victory.
Once again, however, the Sparks refused to go away.
Los Angeles trimmed the deficit to just three points at 77-74 and made things interesting down the stretch. With under two minutes remaining, Connecticut’s lead was only two when Hamby drove the lane looking to tie the game. She believed she was fouled on the play, but no whistle came.
It ultimately did not matter.
On the ensuing possession, Olivia Nelson-Ododa was fouled and calmly knocked down two free throws to help seal the victory.
The Sun’s 84-81 win was significant for several reasons. Not only did Connecticut snap its three-game losing streak, but it also ended Los Angeles’ three-game winning streak. It was also one of the final games the franchise will play in Hartford this season as the organization prepares for its eventual move to Boston.
Next up for the Sun are road games against Atlanta and Chicago.
Stay tuned.
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