Introduction to the Game
The Sparks turned up their defensive intensity in the fourth quarter as they tried to overcome a 13-point deficit.
The Sparks pulled within one with 3:44 left but could not complete the comeback after their offense was stifled by the Atlanta Dream for the first three quarters in an 88-82 loss on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
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Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, left, grabs a rebound from the Atlanta Dream’s Brionna Jones (24) as the Sparks’ Azura Stevens, right, looks on during the first half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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The Game Analysis
“My message to the group was we’ve got to be able to put 40 minutes together and not get down and then play with that urgency,” said Sparks coach Lynne Roberts, whose team lost for the fourth time in the past five games. “We have the ability to play like that more and that’s what I would like to when we go in those droughts, you have to get it back defensively and find some momentum there.
“You can’t let a missed shot, a bad shot, a turnover effect how you play defensively and I think we can get better at that.”
Sparks forward Dearica Hamby scored 20 of her game-high 28 points in the second half. She also had eight assists, six rebounds and four steals.
“First and foremost, we’ve been in this position before, way before Vegas became champions,” Hamby said. “We enjoy the process. We’ve been a part of the process. We know that it does not happen over night. It’s not going to happen in the first five games of the season. Obviously, we want to compete and we want to keep building but perspective. This is a new group. We’re learning a whole new system. It’s predicated on chemistry, movement, spacing. So we’re not panicking.”
Player Performance
I asked WNBA champions Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum why they believe their team has not been able to consistently play 40 minutes after an 88-82 loss vs. Atlanta Dream.
Hamby and Plum combined for 55 of their team’s 82 points.
This was Hamby’s direct response: pic.twitter.com/SFm31Ds6ZG
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) May 28, 2025
Kelsey Plum scored 19 of her 27 points in the second half and finished with five assists and four steals for the Sparks, who dropped to 2-4. Azurá Stevens finished with a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
“We’re going to continue to build and I have faith that we will get there,” Plum said.
## Game Progress
Plum’s three-point play cut Atlanta’s lead to 51-45 with 4:47 left in third quarter, but the Dream’s next three possessions resulted in a layup and short jumper by Allisha Gray and a 3-pointer from Rhyne Howard for a 58-45 advantage. Atlanta pushed the advantage to 66-49 on a Brionna Jones layup and led 66-53 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Sparks opened the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run to get within 66-63 with 7:42 remaining.
Sparks rookie forward Liatu King’s jumper cut what had been a 17-point deficit late in the third to 69-67 with 5:20 remaining. A Plum 3-pointer cut the margin to 71-70 with 4:22 left, but 3-pointers from Howard and Gray helped Atlanta maintain a five-point lead (79-74) with three minutes to play.
“I feel like I can do a better job of stopping runs,” Plum explained. “Just getting us into stuff. Getting people the ball, good shots.”
Stevens hit a 3-pointer for the Sparks to make it 81-77 with 59 seconds left, but Naz Hillmon’s deep 3-pointer with 43 seconds left put Atlanta back ahead by seven. Gray added four free throws to close it out.
## Atlanta’s Performance
Atlanta (4-2) earned its third straight win behind its trio of All-Stars. Gray had 25 points, six assists and five rebounds. Howard had 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and Jones added 13 points. Hillmon scored 11 points and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added 10.
## Injury Update
Sparks forward Rickea Jackson was held scoreless in 12 minutes off bench. Jackson checked in with 4:30 left in the first quarter after missing three straight games while recovering from a concussion that she suffered on May 18.
## Coaches’ Comments
Roberts knew her team was going to be in for a challenge because of similarities in style of play between the two teams.
“It’s the tale of the same,” Roberts said before the game. “Similar styles, so I think we both know what gives that system fits and I’m sure we’re both going to try to do it.”
Atlanta coach Karl Smesko also acknowledged several parallels for the former college coaches, who are just a few games into their respective WNBA coaching careers.
Both teams were encouraged to fire away from 3-point range.
The Sparks shot 8 for 19 (42.1%) from behind the arc, while Atlanta finished 11 for 30 (36.7%) including a 7-for-12 showing after halftime.
“We kind of believe in a similar philosophy in terms of shot selection and we’ve both been kind of managing the roster through injuries,” Smesko said. “There are a lot similarities. This is the W, you don’t have time to dwell on any of it. People have to step up. They have to play. Hope they play well. You have to steal some wins when you can. You’re just hopeful that you at some point get your full team and you’re fully healthy to go.”
## Next Game
UP NEXT
The Sparks (2-4) will play at Las Vegas (2-2) on Friday at 7 p.m.
## Conclusion
The Sparks’ late comeback bid fell short against Atlanta, with the team ultimately losing 88-82. Despite a strong performance from Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum, the Sparks were unable to overcome their slow start and defensive struggles. The team will look to bounce back in their next game against Las Vegas.
## FAQs
Q: What was the final score of the game?
A: The final score was 88-82 in favor of Atlanta.
Q: Who were the top performers for the Sparks?
A: Dearica Hamby scored 28 points and Kelsey Plum scored 27 points.
Q: What is the Sparks’ current record?
A: The Sparks are currently 2-4.
Q: Who is the Sparks’ next opponent?
A: The Sparks will play at Las Vegas on Friday at 7 p.m.
