Lynx send Sparks to their 10th loss in 11 games

LOS ANGELES -- A bad start doomed the Sparks early.

The Lynx were up by double digits in the first period. While the Sparks cut the deficit to five in the second period, the Lynx immediately threw a counterpunch to the tune of a 14-3 run to give Minnesota a 51-35 halftime lead. The Sparks never recovered and the Lynx defeated them at Crypto Dot Com Arena, 82-67.

As mentioned in the game preview, the Lynx are the top three-point shooting and defensive team in the league. The Sparks needed to be mindful about taking care of the ball but it was tough to do against a lockdown defensive team like the Lynx. Los Angeles turned the ball over 18 times, which has been right on par with their series against Minnesota.

"The question is why did it take taking a haymaker in that first quarter to respond when all we've talked about their execution, their physicality," Coach Curt Miller said. "And again, our turnovers against a very good defensive team crept up tonight. Some were self-inflicted. Some were just simply disappointing reads because this is the third time we've played them and we knew some of the things that we wanted to look for."

It was a disappointing outing for the Sparks and Miller echoed that.

"They outplayed us, they out-executed us, and they've certainly probably you would have to say outcoached us," Miller said. "Because no matter how much we talked about it, they did what we were fearful of what they could do."

Azura Stevens made her first start of the game and went for nine points and six rebounds. 

"I feel good," Stevens said. "It's a condensed season so I have had reps in practice but we don't really practice too much. I'm still getting used to the physicality of the game, incorporating my arm in that. I haven't played it in a few months so getting my footing my back and my type of stuff so that could be frustrating at times."

The Olympic break is approaching fast and Stevens talked about what they want to see on the other side of that break.

"I think, for everybody, minus myself, some relaxation, get away, mental break," Stevens answered. "I'm gonna take a little break, too, but I think everybody takes some days off, don't think about basketball. And then get back to it, get back here, start getting ready for the second half of the season. We can still make a push for the playoffs. I know it doesn't seem like that but we can."

"We're only three games off the (8th spot)," forward Dearica Hamby added.

Stevens continued, "So much can change over the second half of the season. Really just locking in when we get back. We'll have some time to really practice and get reps together, which I think is important, too."

The Lynx shot 9 for 18 from three (.500) while the Sparks shot a dreadful 3 for 20 (.150) from behind the arc. Los Angeles has lost 10 of 11 games overall.

Dearica Hamby was the only Sparks player to score in double figures with 18 points. As for the Lynx, they were led by Bridget Carleton with 16 points while Dorka Juhasz had 15.

The Sparks will take their show on the road as they play the Dallas Wings on Saturday. Then they'll wrap up the first half of the season with a home game against the Seattle Storm and a familiar face in Nneka Ogwumike.