Sparks Overcome Fire with Strong Double-Doubles from Ogwumike and Hamby

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Sparks secured a decisive 89-72 victory against the Portland Fire on Sunday, ending a three-game losing streak. Nneka Ogwumike led the charge with 20 points and a season-high 17 rebounds, marking her third straight double-double and fifth of the current season. Dearica Hamby also had a standout performance, contributing 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Kelsey Plum added to the Sparks' effort with 16 points, along with seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Rae Burrell chipped in with 10 points as the team improved to a 5-6 record. For the Fire, Megan Gustafson recorded 16 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, her first double-double since 2023. Carla Leite and Emily Engstler each scored 10 points.

The Fire faced significant challenges, committing 15 turnovers, nine of which were capitalized on by the Sparks, including six steals. Portland struggled offensively, particularly in the third quarter, where they managed only 12 points, their lowest scoring output of the season. The Sparks outscored the Fire 23-12 in that period, with Plum and Hamby each playing pivotal roles in building a 64-55 lead heading into the final quarter.

In a pivotal moment, Plum stole the ball from Leite and assisted Hamby for a fast-break layup, extending Los Angeles' lead to 18 points with just over six minutes remaining. The Fire's shooting woes continued, as they tied a season low with just three 3-pointers and recorded a dismal 10.7% shooting percentage from beyond the arc.

Portland has now lost four of its last five games, including a season-high three consecutive defeats. Looking ahead, the Sparks will host Atlanta on Tuesday, while the Fire will face Connecticut at home on Wednesday.