Mercury led nearly entire game in win over Sparks

LOS ANGELES -- No one told them life was gonna be this way.

But L.A. should hold the clapping. The Sparks only led for a total of 13 seconds as they climbed uphill for practically the entire game. While it wasn't a blowout, the Mercury held them at bay as they came away with the win, 92-84.

The Mercury (23-14) led all the way after the second period and even had a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. The Sparks did have one fleeting rally at the end of the game to make the final score more respectable but in the end, it was a W for Phoenix.

The physical play was duly noted by the Sparks.

"It was physical. It was. I think those are probably really hard games to officiate," Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. "I'm sure it is because playoffs are coming and people are, like, we're scrapping for our lives and they're playing hard. We're all playing for something and intensity's up. These guys are pros and they have pride in how they play. I think that's what you see."

The physicality was definitely felt. Rickea Jackson went down in the third quarter and had to leave the game for a bit. She would play for a little bit before ultimately sitting out the end of the game.

"I am proud of her for trying to go back in but I can tell she was just laboring a little bit," Coach Roberts said. "We've got a big stretch coming in and so it's not fair to her to keep her through. I actually haven't talked to the medical team; I think it's an ankle, something around the shoe area. I don't know but she's tough. She's tough and I have a feeling she'll be fine by the time Friday, 7 PM comes around."

As far as execution went?

"It seemed a little rushed," Coach Roberts opined. "We did a good job forcing some turnovers, getting some steals, and then we kind of turned it right back over, maybe trying to play too fast. In the half court, it was okay. We didn't shoot great from three. I think that's where the difference in the game is."

The Mercury made four more threes as they went 11/25 (.440) while the home team shot 7/24 (.292).

But was it too much time off for the Sparks?

"A little since we haven't been here for five days, like you said, so a little bit," Sparks forward Azurá Stevens said. "I think in the second half, we were able to kind of get back into the rhythm and I think where it hurt us the most was just transition for them. They got a lot of points in the first half but in the second half we were able to clean up."

Phoenix did have 20 fast break points while L.A. had 16.

In the end, the Mercury just keeping their foot on the gas from the second period on gave them a huge advantage. They were up as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter and it was too big of a mountain to climb for the Sparks. 

Alyssa Thomas was the engine that kept the Mercury going; she had her 7th triple-double of the season with 12-16-15. She was the first player in WNBA history to have at least 10 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists.

Satou Sabally had 19 while Kahleah Copper scored 18 to lead the Merc in scoring. Sami Whitcomb was huge, putting in 17 points off the pine.

As for the Sparks, they had three players with 20 or over points. Dearica Hamby had 25 while Rickea Jackson scored 21. Kelsey Plum had a late push to get to 20.

While the Sparks went down to 17-19, the Seattle Storm also lost so both teams are at 19 defeats. But the Sparks can't afford to lose these games if they want to make the postseason.

They'll have another big game at home coming up against the Indiana Fever on Friday.