LOS ANGELES — The Sparks already know they will not be making the playoffs for a sixth straight season, but they are not giving up on the remainder of the regular season.
Success has been fleeting for the Sparks this season. However, if they’re going to stack wins during the final seven games, they must start games fast so they don’t have to claw back from double-digit deficits in the first half.
“That’s been our Achilles heel this season,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said before Saturday’s 77-68 win against Connecticut, which broke the team’s six-game losing streak. “Sometimes we come out great. Sometimes we come out a little lukewarm, and in this league you just get punched in the face when that happens, and that’s been happening. It’s a choice.”
Guard Rae Burrell led the way with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting against the Sun. Burrell, who is averaging a career-high 14.4 points, said she will continue to focus on improving and playing the right way.
“I think just being comfortable, honestly,” Burrell said. “It just makes it so much easier when you’re comfortable out there. When you know your teammates and coaches, and they’ve got your back. Just being able to play with that confidence. I think that’s helped me play more freely and put me in great positions.”
However, the Sparks did commit 24 turnovers to just 19 assists. That’s something veteran point guard Erica Wheeler wants to see corrected.
“I think sometimes we get a little bit too greedy in moments versus just sticking to what works,” said Wheeler, who finished with 11 points and a team-high five assists against Connecticut. “That just comes with getting better each game, but when we share the ball, typically, we win the game.”
The Sparks (13-24, 11th place) will host the Atlanta Dream (24-13, 4th place) at Crypto.com Arena Monday night. It will be a prime opportunity for redemption against Atlanta, who were up by 42 points in the fourth quarter of a recent 124-88 defeat on Aug. 20.
“Every time we play, we want to win,” Roberts said. “Coach to win. Sub to win. Compete to win, but there is also, you have to balance that with building and the future, the young players, so it’s kind of a tightrope.”
Atlanta clinched a postseason berth with a 99-89 victory at Phoenix on Saturday night. All-Star center Angel Reese led the way with a career-high 31 points and 14 rebounds for her 25th double-double of the season. Reese nearly had a triple-double when she had 20 points (on 9-of-9 shooting), 10 rebounds and eight assists against the Sparks a few days ago, which officially ended the L.A.’s slim postseason hopes.
ATLANTA (24-13) AT SPARKS (13-24)
When: Monday, 7 p.m.
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV: Peacock, NBCSN, Spectrum SportsNet