Dearica Hamby drove through traffic for a go-ahead layup with 5.6 seconds left, lifting the Los Angeles Sparks to a 94-91 win over the Seattle Storm at Crypto.com Arena and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Less than 10 days after a marathon double-overtime clash at Climate Pledge Arena, these teams again delivered a desperate, back-and-forth battle as the regular-season pressure mounted. The Sparks erased a 16-point first-quarter deficit and seized control late, aided by a clutch performance from Kelsey Plum and a tight, energetic late-game defense.
Plum finished with 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds, shaping the Sparks’ tempo and pace as she moved between distributor and scorer. She sparked the comeback with a one-on-five fast break finish and a three-pointer at the extended right elbow, then capped a dynamic night with timely plays on both ends. “Leadership is hard, figuring out when to push, when to pull, when to give it up, when to take it over,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. “She’s done a tremendous job.” Plum later explained that her versatility helps the team adapt to what the game demands.
The Sparks rode a smaller lineup to start the second quarter, swapping centers Azurá Stevens and Cameron Brink for guards Julie VanLoo and Rae Burrell, with Rickea Jackson at the four. The move paid off as Plum and Allemand sparked ball movement and perimeter scoring, chipping away at Seattle’s early advantage.
Hamby finished with 19 points and seven rebounds, Stevens added 15 points and eight boards, and Brink contributed 14 points, five rebounds and two steals off the bench. The late tempo and precision helped LA rally to grab the lead and hold off Seattle’s final push.
The late sequence defined the night. After Hamby’s fly-by to the paint and the decisive bucket, the Storm failed to convert their final opportunity, sending the crowd into a roar of relief and celebration as Sparks players and fans embraced at the horn. Allemand contributed eight assists as part of a balanced guard effort, while Plum’s all-around impact continued to punch through in critical moments.
The win extended LA’s recent stretch, with the Sparks now nine wins in their last 11 games, improving their standing as Seattle’s level of urgency rose in a tight playoff race. The Storm, meanwhile, remained in a similar neighborhood, with a 16-16 record matching the Sparks’ intensity and grit.
What to watch next: LA will aim to keep building momentum on the back of Plum’s floor leadership and Hamby’s late-game presence, while Seattle looks to regroup and regain consistency as the regular season moves forward.
Summary: The Sparks recovered from a rocky start to stun the Storm in a dramatic finish, led by Plum’s all-around game and Hamby’s decisive late drive, underscoring LA’s resilience and playoff-minded push. A hopeful note for Sparks fans is the continued emergence of a flexible, capable lineup that can execute under pressure.