Seattle Storm edges Sparks in close game on Sunday night

On Sunday night, the Seattle Storm faced off against the Los Angeles Sparks in a tightly contested game that saw the Storm narrowly secure a 90-87 victory. Seattle initially dominated the game, leading by double digits for a significant portion, including a 14-point advantage at halftime. However, the Sparks made a strong comeback in the second half, with Dearica Hamby scoring 11 points in the third quarter, helping to reduce the deficit to just eight points by the end of the period. In the final quarter, the Sparks continued their momentum, with Rickea Jackson's layup bringing them within two points. Odyssey Sims then tied the game at 79, and shortly after, she scored again to give Los Angeles their first lead since early in the game. Hamby’s free throws briefly put the Sparks ahead 87-86 with just over a minute left, but they were unable to score again. Skylar Diggins-Smith played a crucial role for Seattle, scoring 19 points and making all 10 of her free throws, sealing the game at the line. Nneka Ogwumike led the Storm with 23 points and seven rebounds, while Gabby Williams contributed significantly with 22 points, six rebounds, and four steals. Jordan Horston added 16 points off the bench, showcasing the depth of Seattle's roster. Despite the loss, Hamby’s impressive performance with 25 points and 11 rebounds, along with Jackson and Sims scoring 22 and 20 points respectively, highlighted the Sparks' resilience. The Storm's victory keeps them in contention for the playoffs, currently sitting fifth in the standings, just one game behind Las Vegas.