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Rae Burrell leads Sparks past Sun to snap 6-game losing streak

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LOS ANGELES — The Sparks knew they had to get off to a better start in the first quarter and lock in defensively if they wanted to beat the Connecticut Sun for the first time this season.

“I don’t care who is out there, we want to compete to win,” said Sparks coach Lynne Roberts at Saturday morning’s shootaround practice. “Whether it’s the bench, the starters, a veteran, a rookie, we’ve got to have a fight and an edge to us.”

Guard Rae Burrell led the way by scoring 11 of her game-high 20 points in the first half of a 77-68 victory against Connecticut Sunday at Crypto.com Arena Saturday night.

The Sparks were outscored by a 22-11 margin in the fourth quarter but held on for the win.

“It’s that point in the season where you’re not playing for playoffs, you’re playing to play the right way, to wear the jersey the right way,” Roberts continued. “That’s what I’m looking for. It doesn’t matter who is in there, they’ve all got to play with that fire and intensity.”

The Sparks improved to 13-24 overall and snapped a six-game losing streak. Nneka Ogwumike had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Erica Wheeler also scored 11 points. Forward Dearica Hamby scored 10 points before being ejected for a flagrant foul with 8:39 left in the fourth quarter. Cameron Brink added seven points but fouled out in 12 minutes.

Connecticut dropped to 9-27 overall and is on a two-game losing streak. Guard Saniya Rivers scored a team-high 14 points. Guard Leila Lacan scored 13 points. Forward Kennedy Burke scored 11 points.

The Sparks responded well and jumped out to a 22-11 lead midway through the first quarter, led by Burrell’s eight points. Forward Emma Cannon’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer put the Sparks up 32-22 at the end of the first. The Sparks shot a blistering 78.6% on 11 of 14 attempts early.

The Sparks cooled off in the second quarter but still led 44-36 at halftime, limiting the Sun to 14 points during that span.

The Sparks outscored the Sun by a 22-10 margin in the third quarter and took an insurmountable 66-46 lead into the fourth quarter. The Sun went on a 7-0 run to start the fourth and cut it to 66-53. However, the Sparks responded with an 8-0 run, with rookie guard Chance Gray’s 3-pointer, Ogwumike’s layup and Burrell’s 3-pointer, to go back up 73-53 with 6:44 remaining.

Meanwhile, Burrell said the final handful of games this season are about collective improvement.

“Continue to work on our game,” Burrell said. “Continue to do the tangibles and play the right way. I think that we’re capable of controlling what we control in that regard, so just making sure we play the right way.”

Burrell, 26, is having the best season of her career in Year 5, averaging more than 14 points per game.

“I’m proud of myself,” continued Burrell, who was the Sparks’ first-round pick in 2022. “I always want to make sure I’m improving each year and each year I’ve done that. I think I’ve really taken a really big step this year to just set me up for next year. I’m already thinking about what I can do to improve for next year. I’m going to finish out the season but I’m already taking notes on the things that I want to improve on, so just continue to get better each year.”

Burrell said she wants to keep improving at reading defenses and working on her pace. The 6-foot-2 guard said she wants to utilize her size and add in some post-ups to her repertoire.

She said she can also envision playing more point guard in the future.

Coach Roberts said in the past several weeks, Burrell has emerged as a go-to scorer.

“You’re no longer the third option, fourth option, that’s who the best defender is going to be on is her and that’s a lot harder,” Roberts said when asked about Burrell’s best season of her career. “I think for her slowing down, reading the coverages, picking and choosing where she’s not trying to force stuff but taking what the defense gives her and picking her moments to be Rae.”

Connecticut came into the game confident after winning the first two matchups against the Sparks this season.

“We know we have to be the aggressor,” Connecticut Sun coach Rachid Meziane said before the game. “We cannot wait.”

Connecticut, which won the season series 2-1, rolled out three former UCLA Bruins, Burke and rookies Charlisse Leger-Walker and Gianna Kneepkens.

“I don’t know if Charlisse was expecting to play this role in our team but both are coming from a good program,” Meziane explained. “It’s a real pleasure to coach them. They are a sponge, super easy to work with them.”

Leger-Walker started and finished with five points, two rebounds and three assists. Kneepkens scored just two points off the bench.

UP NEXT

The Sparks will host the Atlanta Dream at Crypto.com Arena on Monday night. The Sparks will be seeking redemption after suffering a 124-88 blowout loss to Atlanta on Aug. 20.

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