LOS ANGELES -- The Sparks' playoff hopes are alive.
It was a game mostly controlled by the Sparks. The Mystics did try a late rally back but in the end, the Sparks came out on top, 81-78. The Sparks (18-20) were able to go .500 in their four-game home stand and the Mystics (16-25) were handed their seventh straight loss.
Kelsey Plum had 14 points in the fourth quarter while Dearica Hamby put in eight in that same period to keep the Mystics at bay. Washington only had the lead for 78 seconds total in the game after Stefanie Dolson made a three-pointer for a 56-55 lead. But the Sparks seemingly made the right plays at the right times multiple times.
They were also better defensively, too.
How was the defense today? Q by @FlyByKnite pic.twitter.com/sy3grVjlQx
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) September 1, 2025
"We know how talented (Sonia) Citron is," Hamby said. "Our game plan was to make other people take shots and we did that. I would even say, building off the last game, I feel like we had a good defensive game even though it didn't turn over to victory. I think we're just trending in the right direction."
Plum was tasked on defending Citron.
Kelsey’s defensive efforts the last couple of games. pic.twitter.com/lJtFxKXLy9
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) September 1, 2025
"Kelsey is really smart and understands the game and understands what the other team is trying to do, so I thought she did just a tremendous job," Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. "(Citron) was 3 for 6 going into that last field goal at the buzzer, which is a tremendous job. Kelsey is stronger than she looks and tougher than you would guess but really smart and really hardworking and was really good tonight."
The Sparks know what's on the line and the veterans on the team have taken on the task on leading them in the tough moments.
What do the leaders like Kelsey, Dearica, and Azurá tell the team in tough moments? Q by @AnwarStetson pic.twitter.com/1WnXVAro4k
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) September 1, 2025
"We know what's at stake but just trying to break it down to each possession matters," Sparks forward Azurá Stevens said when asked about said tough moments. "Not getting too caught up in, oh, we've got to win X amount of games. We know the circumstances but all we can control is the next possession. Just trying to make sure we lock in on Washington and now Seattle tomorrow. Just taking it day by day and really focusing on us. Our defense, our rebounding, our pace on offense. Just really looking in at us as a team and just chopping day by day."
Two weeks ago, the Sparks were smashed in the rebounding battle by the Mystics, 35-15. This time around, the Sparks battled them to a draw on the boards (40 each for both teams). It certainly helped the Sparks that they were able to do well in rebounding. Los Angeles was also able to keep their turnovers low at 13.
The Sparks were led by Hamby, who had a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double. Plum scored 14 of her 18 points in the final period while Rickea Jackson scored 16 as she was mostly used as a catch-and-shoot three-point shooter. As for the Mystics, Kiki Iriafen had 22 points and 13 boards. Sonia Citron had 12 points but only shot seven times.
The team had to catch a flight almost immediately after the game as they go to the Pacific Northwest to take on a tough Seattle Storm (22-19 so that means one fewer loss than the Sparks) game on Monday night. This game might be for all the playoff marbles for the Sparks.
