2016 WNBA season scores: Dream spoil Sparks' attempt for new record

The Los Angeles Sparks will have to share the WNBA record for best start with the 1998 Houston Comets a little longer.

The Atlanta Dream, which have lost 10 of their last 15 games after starting the season winning six of seven, limited the Sparks to their third-lowest output of the season en route to recording a decisive 91-74 win on Sunday afternoon at the Philips Arena.

The Dream also lost starting center Sancho Lyttle to a foot injury prior to tip-off, but it did not prevent the squad from dominating the Sparks. One of the most aggressive teams in the league, the Dream kept attacking the Sparks' defense with drives to the basket.

The Dream held a double-digit advantage in the first half even with Angel McCoughtry sidelined for most of the first two quarters as she picked up three personal fouls in the first six minutes alone.

The addition of Bria Holmes to the starting line-up helped open the driving lanes for Atlanta, as Holmes possessed the touch from long range to lure defenders and stretch the floor.

Layshia Clarendon helped the Dream take control of the first half. She finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Holmes finished with 15 points.

McCoughtry then saw more action in the second half to help the Dream maintain separation. McCoughtry, who scored 17 points, took advantage of her defender -- usually Nneka Ogwumike -- in one-on-one situations, earning eight free throw attempts in the contest.

Atlanta outrebounded Los Angeles, 42-34, and made 27 of 31 free throw attempts the team drew the game. Atlanta's perimeter defense also forced Los Angeles to way too many one-on-one plays, taking the Sparks' ball movement and rhythm away.

The Dream limited the Sparks to only 15 assists, way below the team's season average of 21.2 per game, and 37.5 percent field goal shooting.

The loss also saw the Sparks (20-2) snap a nine-game winning streak and a nine-game road winning streak to open the season.

Tiffany Hayes added 14 points for the Dream (12-11) while Elizabeth Williams fell just a point short of a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds.

Ogwumike led the Sparks with 26 points on 8-for-11 shooting and 12 rebounds. Candace Parker chipped in 22 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, but no other Sparks member finished in double-digits after the two frontliners.

Lyttle is feared to miss the remainder of the WNBA season, but the Dream are all hoping that the 17-point win over the Sparks will turn things around for them. The Dream are once again above .500 and are still in fourth spot in the overall league standings by a considerable margin.

Last night's scores

 New York Liberty 83, Connecticut Sun 76

The Liberty (17-7) maintained a 4.5-game lead in the Eastern Conference standings with a win over the Sun (6-16).

Swin Cash led the team with 16 points. Tina Charles added 14 points and 10 boards. Sugar Rodgers also scored 14 points while four others contributed eight points or more.

Chiney Ogwumike had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Sun, which remained in the bottom of the East standings.

Atlanta Dream 91, Los Angeles Sparks 74

 Minnesota Lynx 98, Dallas Wings 97

The Lynx (19-4) extended their winning streak to four after prevailing against the Wings (9-14) in overtime.

Seimone Augutus hit the go-ahead basket in the extra period. Six players finished in double-digit scoring for the Lynx.

Maya Moore had 20 points and six assists while bigs Sylvia Fowles (14 points, 19 rebounds) and Rebekkah Brunson (16 points, 10 rebounds) both tallied double-doubles.

Plenette Pierson led the Wings, which have now lost four in a row, with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Karima Christmas contributed 20 points.

Chicago Sky 91, Seattle Storm 88

Elena Delle Donne hit the go-ahead triple with only a second remaining to lead the Sky past the Storm in a battle which also featured Delle Donne going up against Breanna Stewart for the first time in the pro ranks.

Delle Donne finished with 35 points on 14-for-24 shooting, scoring her team's last nine points as the Sky (10-12) improved to sixth overall in the league standings. Delle Donne also had 11 rebounds. Cheyenne Parker notched a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds while Cappie Pondexter added 15 points off the bench.

The Storm, which dropped to 8-14, were led by Stewart's 22 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and five blocks. Sue Bird had 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting while Jewell Loyd added 12 points and 12 assists.

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