2016 WNBA season scores: Sparks improve to 19-1

Opposing teams can try doing different things against Los Angeles, but it doesn't matter for the Sparks. The WNBA's hottest regular season team will still find ways to dominate and beat its opponents.

The Sparks extended their winning streak to eight games and improved to 19-1 overall in the season after defeating the Chicago Sky, 77-67 at the Allstate Arena on Wednesday.

Nneka Ogwumike had 20 points on 10-for-11 shooting, 11 rebounds, and four blocks to lead the Sparks, while Candace Parker added 11 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists. Three others scored in double-digits for the Sparks, with Kristi Toliver adding 13 points.

Elena Delle Donne led the Sky, which dropped to ninth in the league standings at 8-12, with 15 points. The reigning league MVP though, shot only 7-for-19 from the field. Allie Quigley added 13 points off the bench.

Coming off a win against the Phoenix Mercury which saw six players score in double-digits, the Sky once again went with a peculiar starting line-up. Delle Donne, Tamera Young, Cheyenne Parker, Imani Boyette, and Jamierra Faulkner started for the Sky; the unit did have success early on, with Boyette using her size and length on both ends, and Delle Donne getting baskets.

But it did not take the Sparks that long to take charge. The Sky defended the Sparks' side pick and rolls poorly, icing them but recovering late which allowed the Sparks' frontliners space to shoot from mid-range or operate.

Six unanswered points by the Sparks gave them a 19-15 lead late in the first quarter. Later in the second period, baskets by Essence Carson, Alana Beard, and Ogwumike made it a double-digit advantage for the Sparks, 38-28.

The Sparks' on-ball defense also limited the Sky's main backcourt players. With taller wing players like Beard and Carson picking up Courtney Vandersloot and Cappie Pondexter, the Sky were unable to penetrate and get to the rim.

Vandersloot only had seven points on 2-for-5 shooting and five assists while Pondexter was limited to four points on 2-for-7 shooting. Both were minus-12 in the game. The Sky as a team, only had six free throw attempts all game long.

A basket by Chelsea Gray early in the fourth quarter gave the Sparks their biggest cushion at 66-50, before the Sky made a run to cut the deficit down to six points, 72-66 with just over two minutes left.

The Sky's smaller line-up with a Vandersloot-Pondexter backcourt and Quigley at the three spot began opening things for the team, but it came when the Sparks already had control of the game.

The Sparks shot 55 percent from the field, and assisted 28 of 33 field goal makes.

Chicago's Parker scored 10 points, a new career-high.


Last night's scores

 New York Liberty 86, Atlanta Dream 62
The Liberty (16-6) maintained hold of the top spot of the Eastern Conference after a blow-out win over the Dream (11-10). Tina Charles had 18 points on 50 percent shooting and nine rebounds. Sugar Rodgers added 13 points while Shavonte Zellous and Rebecca Allen both came off the bench with 11 points apiece.

Tiffany Hayes and Bria Holmes were the only double-digit scorers for the Dream with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The Liberty are now 4.5 games above the Dream in the East, and just 1.5 games behind the 17-4 Minnesota Lynx for second overall in the league standings.

 Connecticut Sun 86, Indiana Fever 64
Chiney Ogwumike had 20 points including 10-for-12 from the foul line as the Sun (6-14) cruised past the Fever (9-12). Alyssa Thomas contributed 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Lynetta Kizer had 18 points on 9-for-11 shooting to lead the Fever but no one else scored in double-figures. Tamika Catchings was limited to just eight points on 2-for-10 shooting.

 Los Angeles Sparks 77, Chicago Sky 67

Phoenix Mercury 78, Washington Mystics 74
The Mercury (9-13) returned to the playoff picture after a close victory over the Mystics (9-12). Brittney Griner towered with 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting and five blocks. Diana Taurasi added 18 points, six boards, and six dimes.

Emma Meesseman led the Mystics with 22 points on 9-for-17 shooting.

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