Los Angeles drops second game to Atlanta 90-79

Los Angeles Sparks #30 Nneka Ogwumike (F) driving strong toward to the basket. Photo by Skylar Blackmon/TGSportstv1.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Nneka Ogwumike with 19 points and ten rebounds, Azura Stevens with 16 points and twelve rebounds, Jordin Canada with 13 points and seven assists, and Zia Cooke off the bench with 11 points wasn't enough as the Los Angeles Sparks (7-11) fell to the Atlanta Dream (8-8) at Crypto.com Arena 90-79.

Allisha Gray was unstoppable, scoring 23 points for Atlanta, followed by Ryhne Howard with 15 points and Cheyenne Parker with 14 points and eleven rebounds.

Rhyne Howard's three-pointer gave the Atlanta Dream a 12-5 lead in the first quarter. The Dream led 15-5 with a three-pointer by Nia Coffey, and the Sparks called a timeout. The Sparks trailed 15-7 with a layup by Nneka Ogwumike.

Atlanta Dream #32 Cheyenne Parker (C) grabbing a rebound to help start a fast break. Photo by Skylar Blackmon/TGSportstv1.

Atlanta led 19-9 with a jump shot by Cheyenne Parker. Zia Cooke would knock down a three-pointer which had the Sparks trailing 25-14. The Dream led 29-16 at the end of the first quarter.

Atlanta led 31-16 with a layup by Haley Jones in the second quarter. Jordin Canada's jump shot had Los Angeles trailing 35-20.

Karlie Samuelson's three-pointer made the score 37-23. Ogwumike streaking down the court for a layup had the Sparks down 52-40. Los Angeles trail 53-40 at halftime.

In the video below the Sparks head coach Curt Miller talks about how Stevens, Burrell, and Cooke helped them get back in the game.

The Sparks trail 53-42 in the third quarter with a layup by Azura Stevens. The Dream led 56-45 with a three-pointer by Howard. Stevens drove to the basket for a layup, and the Sparks now trail 56-51, forcing Atlanta to call a timeout.

You have to give the Sparks credit, and despite the slow start in the first quarter and with all the injuries piling up, this is a gritty bunch of players that always fight to the end.

Los Angeles Sparks #1 Zia Cooke (G) pulling up for a jump shot. Photo by Skylar Blackmon/TGSportstv1.

Atlanta led by ten points, 61-51, with a three-pointer by Howard, and the Sparks called a timeout. Allisha Gray, with her made basket and a free throw, had Atlanta leading 69-51. The Sparks trail 71-58 at the end of the third quarter with a jump shot by Cooke.

Atlanta led in the fourth quarter 77-58 with a three-pointer by Gray. Rae Burrell's three-pointer from the right side had the Sparks down 79-61. Dearica Hamby's up-and-under move for a layup had the Sparks trailing 81-67.

The Sparks were down 85-74 with a layup by Ogwumike. Atlanta increased their lead to 89-74 with a three-pointer by Parker. The Dream closed out the game with their second win over the Sparks for the second time this season.

Los Angeles will head to Phoenix to play Brittney Griner and the Mercury on Sunday evening.