ATLANTA— Life ain’t fish and grits for the Los Angeles Sparks after an 86-75 defeat against the hot Atlanta Dream who are now on a three-game winning streak. There wasn’t much Southern Hospitality at Gateway Center Arena Wednesday, as the Dream’s sizable frontcourt threw them ‘bows all night. Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner’s interior presence helped stifle the Sparks after a hot start in the first quarter. However, offensive anchor and Georgia native Dearica Hamby put on for her city despite the loss. The former WNBA champion pulled off another dominant performance with a game-high 21 points, while adding nine rebounds and four assists in the loss.
Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Sep 3, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Dream forward Naz Hillmon (00) shoots against the Los Angeles Sparks in the fourth quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park.
The Sparks started the first quarter on a 10-0 run that was quickly extinguished. The Dream answered back with a run of their own ending the first quarter with a 26-24 Sparks lead. Atlanta scored by committee without All-Star Allisha Gray who was sidelined with a knee injury.
The Dream commanded the second quarter behind stellar perimeter play from All-Star Rhyne Howard and sharpshooter Naz Hillmon, who both seemed to be able to score from different area codes. The duo hit six of the team’s eleven three-pointers in the contest, while L.A. only mustered 6-of-24 from beyond-the-arc. Down 53-41 at halftime, the Sparks couldn’t pull off another comeback win as Atlanta controlled the second half like they were riding on 24’s for an 86-75 victory.
“I thought that, defensively, we gave up some easy buckets scouting report-wise,” Head Coach Lynne Roberts told reporters postgame. “And those are things we can control, you know? That first quarter, I thought we were off to a hot start, but it was a great pace, and we were moving the ball. That second quarter's the quarter that really did us in, and we couldn’t really catch up after that.”
Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Sep 3, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (5) shoots against the Atlanta Dream in the second quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park.
At 19-21, the Sparks are still in ninth place with just four games left in the regular season. Robert’s squad is just 48 hours from an emotional 17-point comeback victory against the Seattle Storm on Monday, but the team will need to fight through fatigue for the third and final matchup of the season in the Peach State on Friday.
The Sparks sit two wins behind the eight place Indiana Fever and three wins behind the Storm and Golden State Valkyries, who sit at seventh and sixth respectively. Roberts has been treating every game since the All-Star break like a must-win, but at least one win in Atlanta would be a sign of hope in a tough three-game road trip.
“Mama D” as the players call Dearica Hamby, continues to ball like March Madness. In Wednesday’s game she became the third player in WNBA history with 4000 points, 2200 rebounds, 650 assists and 350 steals while shooting over 49.0%.
Back in May, Atlanta defeated the Sparks 88-82 in Los Angeles. Atlanta could sweep the season series Friday, and put the Sparks in a hole that may be insurmountable. But as they say, horses don’t stop, they keep going.
After Atlanta on Friday, the Sparks head home to face the Dallas Wings. After a quick stop in Phoenix to take on the Mercury, L.A. finishes the season at home against the Las Vegas Aces.