LOS ANGELES -- It was an uphill climb once again for the Los Angeles Sparks in the fourth quarter. And as it has been the theme so far this season, they fell short on getting to the top.
The Sparks fell to 2-4 after the Dream took care of business at Crypto.com Arena, 88-82. The Dream are now 4-2 after their victory in Los Angeles.
The Dream were up by as many as 17 points late in the third quarter. The Sparks then went on a furious run, as they have done all season. L.A. got it down to 73-72 but multiple Atlanta players made timely shots to keep them at bay. Azurá Stevens made a three-pointer to cut it to four for one last gasp but Naz Hillmon countered with a three-pointer of her own to put the game away.
So what will it take to go over the hump?
What will it take to go over the hump? pic.twitter.com/vakawhF0ch
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) May 28, 2025
"I think we had a lot of good looks around the rim early second quarter, just missed them. To credit them, they came down in their offense... they play fast, they play in transition. And they banged really timely threes. It's tough. This league is extremely tough. If you take your foot off the gas for a second offensively and defensively, people will make you play."
Plum gave credit to their bench that included Naz Hillmon (11 points) and Shatori Kimbrough-Walker (10 points).
"I know in this league there's nothing given to you," Plum would also say about high-pressure situations. "And so I understand the responsibility here and that's why I get frustrated because I know, myself, I want to win. I want to affect winning at the highest level. And you know, we're close, we're close. If you watch these games, we're freaking right there. And so for me, I don't think I'm bad at handling pressure at all, I’m just a competitor and trying to learn and get it right."
Why haven't they been able to put together a full 40 minutes six games into the season?
At this point in the season, why haven’t they been able to play 40 minutes? Q by @johnwdavis pic.twitter.com/yzlkGdEsVB
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) May 28, 2025
"First and foremost, we've been in this position before," Dearica Hamby said. "Way before Vegas, way before we became champions. We enjoy doing part of the process. We know it doesn't happen overnight. It doesn't happen in the first five games of the season. Obviously, we want to compete and we want to keep building but perspective. This is a new group. We're learning a whole new system. It's predicated on chemistry, movement, spacing... so, yeah, we're not panicking."
And for a little surprise, former WNBA All-Star Angel McCoughtry was part of the media for this game. She asked her former teammates about what identity the team wants to forge.
The great Angel McCoughtry asks her former teammates what they want their identity to be. pic.twitter.com/OVhpDWFRB1
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) May 28, 2025
"Hey, Angel!" Hamby exclaimed after seeing McCoughtry. She went on to say that they wanted to play physical and be competitive.
Hamby had another killer game with 28 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and four steals. Kelsey Plum had 27 points and five assists while Stevens had a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards. Rickea Jackson did come off the bench for her return but didn't score a point in 12 minutes of play.
Allisha Gray scored 25 for the Dream off only eight field goal attempts. Rhyne Howard had a 15-9-7 line while Bri Jones put in 13 points.
The Sparks will take it to the road on their next game as they face the Las Vegas Aces on Friday. They will hope to hit the jackpot there.