Los Angeles ends eight-game losing streak and beat Indiana in a thriller 79-78
Los Angeles Sparks #21 Jordin Canada (G) attacking the basket against Indiana Fever #17 Erica Wheeler (G) and #25 Victoria Vivians (F). Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
LOS ANGELES, CA - The Los Angeles Sparks ended their eight-game losing streak with a three-pointer by Jordin Canada with 3.2 seconds left in the game and beat the Indiana Fever 79-78 at the Crypto.com Arena.
Canada scored 20 points and ten assists, Nneka Ogwumike had 30 points and eight rebounds, and Azura Stevens with 15 points.
Zia Cooke gave Los Angeles a 14-9 lead with her jump shot in the first quarter. Indiana tied the game 18-18 after a jump shot by Erica Wheeler. Indiana led at the end of the first quarter 22-20 with two free throws by Kristy Wallace.
The Sparks led 23-22 in the second quarter with a three-pointer by Nneka Ogwumike. The Fever would regain the lead 25-23 after Kelsey Mitchell was fouled on her made basket and made one free throw.
Los Angeles led by four points, 29-25, with a layup by Layshia Clarendon. Indiana trail 33-31 with a three-point shot by Victoria Vivians. Canada would knock down a three-pointer to give the Sparks a 37-32 lead.
The Sparks led 45-36 with a three-pointer by Canada. The Sparks led at halftime 47-38 with a layup by Canada.
Ogwumike led the Sparks in scoring in the first half with 15 points, Canada with 13 points, and Stevens with 11 points. Vivians led Indiana in scoring with 11 points, and Boston and Wheeler both with 7 points.
The Sparks led 51-40 in the third quarter with a layup by Stevens. Indiana cut into the Sparks' lead 51-50 after Vivians' made a free throw after being fouled on her shot.
Oguwumike's jump shot from the right side of the court gave Los Angeles a 55-52 lead. Indiana found themselves down by one point, 60-59, after a jump shot by Lexie Hull. The Fever led 61-60 at the end of the third quarter.
The Sparks would regain the lead in the fourth quarter 62-61 with a layup by Dearica Hamby. Indiana would lead 68-63 with a layup by Emma Cannon.
Los Angeles Sparks #30 Nneka Ogwumike shooting a jump shot round the top of the key. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
Los Angeles trail by one point, 68-67, with a jump shot by Claredon. Vivians would give the Fever a five-point lead, 72-67 after her jump shot with 3:18 left in the game. Ogwumike would tie the game 72-72 with two free throws.
Indiana took the lead 74-72 with a jump shot by Wheeler. Mitchell would make a three-pointer in front of her bench to give the Fever a 76-72 with 1:30 left in the game.
The Sparks would trail 78-76 with a jump shot by Ogwumike with 38.2 seconds left in the game. Cooke would make the play of the game after a missed three-pointer by Vivians and grabbed the defensive rebound with 11 seconds left in the game, and Los Angeles called a full timeout.
Canada cool as ice dribbled upcourt and knocked down the game-winning three-point shot at the top of the key as the Sparks celebrated a 79-78 much-needed win after their hard-fought battle with Indiana.
Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana in scoring with 19 points, Vivians with 17 points, and Wheeler with 15 points.