LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The Sparks played much better on Saturday after the New York Liberty annihilated them on Thursday.
But they didn't play well enough in the fourth quarter. The Sky went on a 15-2 run to start the final stanza and erased a 10-point lead to defeat the Sparks, 90-86. The fourth quarter tally ended up being 26-12, in favor of Chicago.
The Sky's strength is rebounding and they ate up the glass in the fourth quarter with a 14-5 advantage against the Sparks. Chicago also lived in the paint and had a hefty 50-34 lead in the key. Lindsay Allen and Michaela Onyenwere made clutch shots. Then Angel Reese made a lay-up to extend the lead to 88-82 with 1:02 left in the game. It was an uphill climb that the Sparks couldn't get over at the end.
Curt Miller was proud of the way the Sparks came back to play after Thursday. But he was also disappointed about the fourth quarter on Saturday.
Curt Miller talked about being proud of the team after Thursday’s disappointing performance… and then the disappointment of the start of the fourth on Saturday. @SportingTrib @FredoCervantes pic.twitter.com/GkIp4BwXbl
— 𝐑𝐞𝐲-𝐑𝐞𝐲 (@TheNoLookPass) August 17, 2024
"Kind of a tale of two stories," Miller said. "Really proud of our step back up to compete and fight after a disappointing game against New York.
"With that said, disappointing start in the fourth quarter when it's winning time," Miller continued. "Again, it comes down to that toughness, the game was going to be in the paint tonight, and their physicality."
With Aari McDonald and Layshia Clarendon out, Crystal Dangerfield, who is on a hardship deal, got the start. Odyssey Sims, who had been playing for Dallas this season, was acquired by the Sparks on Saturday morning and backed up Dangerfield. Dangerfield finished with 11 points and six dimes.
Crystal Dangerfield talked about getting her first start of the season in a Sparks uni. Q by @ECreates88 @SportingTrib @FredoCervantes pic.twitter.com/XmX4NPiBIl
— 𝐑𝐞𝐲-𝐑𝐞𝐲 (@TheNoLookPass) August 18, 2024
"It feels good," Dangerfield said about her start. "We're getting to play basketball for a living; we get paid to play basketball. So anytime we get out on the court, I'm grateful for it. This is a good group. We had an opportunity today to bounce back from the showing the other night. I think we're on the right track for the second half of the season."
At the very least, it was a competitive game. Miller brought up that wins and losses would take care of themselves if they execute. But it's never a great feeling to lose a lot of games.
"Just gotta have a quick forgetful memory," Rickea Jackson said. "Just gotta move on to the next. Just keep pushing. It's honestly hard. People don't speak about it but losing and then going to play one of the best teams in the league is something that's hard."
The Sparks play against the Aces on Sunday afternoon in a rare WNBA back-to-back situation. L.A. actually owns the edge in the season series, 2-1, so they definitely have the psychological advantage.
Lindsay Allen led four Chicago Sky players in double figures with 16 points. Both Angel Reese (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Kamilla Cardoso (15 points, 14 rebounds) had double-doubles; it's Angel Reese's 19th such stat this season. As for the Sparks, Kia Nurse put in 16 points while Rickea Jackson and Stephanie Talbot each had 13.
Either way, it's a much better showing for the Sparks on Saturday even when the Sparks point guards are both under hardship deals as Miller reminded the media. It's just harder to get wins when the team doesn't know who's going to be on the roster on any given night.
Still, they have the Aces on Sunday. Anything can happen in those games, it seems.