The Los Angeles Sparks might be out to guard the eighth and remaining spot within the playoffs and finish a two-game dropping streak after they welcome the visiting Seattle Storm on Thursday.
Los Angeles (15-20) received six straight earlier than dropping a pair of selections: 83-68 at Connecticut on Sunday and 76-75 within the first of three straight dwelling video games Tuesday vs. Chicago.
The Sparks had three appears at a would-be, game-winning baskets within the remaining 10 seconds on Tuesday however Jordin Canada, Jasmine Thomas and Karlie Samuelson every missed their makes an attempt.
The defeat marked a big setback for Los Angeles, which is battling with Chicago for the ultimate playoff spot. The loss trimmed the Sparks’ lead over the Sky to a half-game and gave Chicago the regular-season head-to-head benefit at 3-1.
Los Angeles additionally has the problem of a three-game highway swing to shut the common season, with Thursday’s go to from Seattle marking the Sparks’ penultimate dwelling date of the marketing campaign.
“The playoffs will play itself out,” Los Angeles coach Curt Miller stated. “We are able to solely management what we will management. However so long as we’re enjoying properly, I really feel the momentum is constructing to subsequent yr and the long run, and what I am so enthusiastic about.”
Seattle (10-25) has been eradicated from postseason competition after dropping its third consecutive Sport, 90-85 to Chicago on Sunday.
The Storm had been outscored 22-10 in a fourth quarter that ended with Seattle operating out the clock within the remaining 15 seconds.
WNBA-leading scorer Jewell Loyd posted 17 first half factors for the Storm however went 0 of seven from the ground within the second half. She completed with 19.
“She’s great at (scoring),” Storm guard Sami Whitcomb of Loyd, in keeping with the Seattle Instances. “However within the fourth quarter, once you’ve gone the entire sport of doing that, it may be exhausting.”
Loyd is placing up 24.2 factors per sport, but the Storm’s 78.7 factors per sport as a group rank subsequent to final within the league.
Los Angeles isn’t far forward at 79.1 factors per sport, however the Sparks have held opponents to the WNBA’s second-lowest output at 80.3 factors a sport. Seattle is giving up 83.9 factors a sport.
—Area Degree Media
