Nneka Ogwumike scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Dearica Hamby finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and five steals, and the Los Angeles Sparks dispatched the visiting Chicago Sky 77-62 on Friday.
Los Angeles (4-3) relied on its defense, which forced Chicago (5-4) into 17 turnovers, to overcome its own offensive woes. The Sparks endured a woeful shooting performance, finishing the night just 28-for-73 (38.4 percent) from the floor, including 3-for-20 (15 percent) from 3-point range.
Los Angeles also endured the early exit of Layshia Clarendon, who left in the second quarter due to a right foot injury.
Karlie Samuelson stepped into the void created by Clarendon’s departure, and the veteran player — initially signed to a hardship contract before she was extended for the season earlier this week — gave the Sparks seven points and three rebounds off the bench.
Samuelson hit one of Los Angeles’ three 3-pointers, putting a bow on the Sparks’ 11-0 run to end the game.
Los Angeles held Chicago scoreless for the final 3:08 and gave up just four points over the last 6:45.
The Sparks’ stifling defense limited the Sky to just 27-of-67 shooting from (40.3 percent) the floor and 4-of-23 (17.4 percent) from beyond the 3-point arc. Alanna Smith, who matched Ogwumike with a game-high 19 points, accounted for two of Chicago’s 3-pointers on seven attempts from deep.
Smith also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, blocked five shots and had two steals. Elizabeth Williams finished with 14 points, and Kahleah Copper scored 10 points for Chicago. The Sky scored their fewest points of the season — one game after posting a season-high 108 points while beating the Indiana Fever in overtime on Tuesday.
While limiting Chicago on one side of the floor, Los Angeles capitalized on the other with free-throw opportunities. The Sparks shot 18-for-22 from the line, including 6-for-6 by Jordin Canada, who finished with 16 points.
Chicago was just 4-for-8 from the foul line.
–Field Level Media
