PHOENIX -- The Sparks took care of business on their end. They got Step 2 of the three-step process done.
Unfortunately, they had to depend on someone else. And that didn't come through. The Sparks will not get a chance to do Step 3.
The Storm defeated the Valkyries to secure the 8th and final playoff spot. That meant that whatever the Sparks did didn't matter. Still, the Sparks did get their 21st win of the season after defeating the Phoenix Mercury, 88-83.
The Mercury (27-16), who had already clinched home court advantage in the first round, decided to sit their stars in the fourth quarter. Still, the Merc have a deep team and they gave the Sparks all they could handle in the fourth. In the end, the Sparks rode Dearica Hamby in the final four minutes or so when she scored 10 of the last 14 points for L.A.
"Yeah, get behind me," Hamby said when asked about the emotions as the game was coming to a close. "Obviously, they rested their players. And they still competed but I felt like it was just a good opportunity to take it and control what we could control. But like I said, I did what I normally do."
The Sparks are 21-22. Thursday's game is still pending but they have improved 13 wins from last season.
"I came here two years ago and the plan is a long-term build," Hamby said when asked about the progress of the team. "And to be a part of it, I want to be here. I feel like we took steps in the right direction. I think it's a little frustrating because you look at some of the games and we were two games away but I didn't count on two hands how many games that we kind of gave up. Still positive, though, and good momentum for the future."
Coach Lynne Roberts likes what they had built.
"The league is as good as it's ever been," Roberts said. "There's not a year in the history that 21 wins doesn't get you in the playoffs. 21 wins in a league that is just competitive from top to bottom. I'm proud of our team for sticking together and sticking with me. They've bought in and they're playing their tails off. Everyone's tired... Phoenix... L.A., everybody. And, you know, banged up and fighting injuries. And these guys, they're giving everything they can. And I'm very proud of that. I'm proud of the culture we have in the locker room.
"They're for each other," Roberts said. "I don't know how to say that differently but there's genuine happiness for each other and we have each other's back. And I'm proud of that. And we're on our way. I hope to keep this this group together."
Rae Burrell had a career night with 20 points.
"I guess I'm just always trying to do whatever the team needs me to do," Burrell said. "I think they put me in good positions to do that. And yeah, I'm proud of myself with the progress that I've made. My journey hasn't been perfect but I'm proud of just the resilience that I've shown throughout it."
Coach Roberts was very happy with Burrell's play off the bench this season.
"Rae's been huge for us. Absolutely huge," Roberts said. "And we kind of joke about her energy and all the things. But, man, that matters in winning. And I thought she was phenomenal in that first half. And she got two really key, tough offensive boards that we converted on both down the stretch in the fourth quarter. Those are game-winning plays."
When the stat sheet said only one offensive board for Burrell, Roberts joked, "They only counted her for one because they're cheating. No, I'm kidding. But she was just fantastic."
Roberts continued with her praise as she complimented Hamby.
"And, you know, D, she's just been so steady. And in the timeout, she was imploring people, her teammates and like, let's do this. Let's get this. So it's fun to coach these two for sure."
Hamby finished with 25 points to lead Los Angeles. Burrell had a career-high 20 points off the pine while Kelsey Plum, who was deemed questionable before the game, put in 17. As for Phoenix, Satou Sabally scored 24 points while Alyssa Thomas got her 8th triple-double of the season with a 10-11-10 line. As noted earlier, the starters sat the entire fourth quarter.
The Sparks may be out of the playoff race but they still have one final game to play and it's against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday back at home. They have a chance to end the season at .500 for the first time since 2020, the last year they made the playoffs.
Their season may not extend past September 11 but the Sparks are finally going in the right direction no matter what happens on Thursday.