Seattle Storm at Los Angeles Sparks
· Women's National Basketball AssociationDefending champion Sparks beat Storm 78-68 in opener
![Storm vs. Sparks - Live (Alana Beard of the Los Angeles Sparks drives to the basket against the Seattle Storm) [800x450]](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2017/0513/r209281_800x450_16-9.jpg&w=900&h=360&scale=crop&location=origin)
Both teams were missing key players Candace Parker, Essence Carson and Jantel Lavender are still competing in the Turkish league playoffs and were absent as the Sparks raised their third championship banner with Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant in attendance.
The Storm announced before the game that Sue Bird and last season's rookie of the year, Breanna Stewart, are still recovering from knee issues and are day-to-day.
Ogwumike, last season's MVP, was 10 of 20 from the floor. Sims, acquired in a trade with Dallas after losing point guard Kristi Toliver to Washington, was 9 of 15 coming off the bench.
The Sparks led by one at halftime and took the lead for good on rookie Sydney Wiese's first WNBA field goal, a 3-pointer, for a 50-47 lead late in the third quarter.
The Storm was within three with five minutes left but Ogwumike made consecutive baskets for a 10-point lead with three minutes to go.
Jewell Loyd scored 25 points but committed nine of Seattle's 24 turnovers that turned into 29 Sparks points.
Regular Season Series
LA wins series 2-1
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 68 - 78 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of Game | 68 - 78 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 68 - 78 |
| 4th 0.0 |  |
Seattle offensive team rebound | 68 - 78 |
| 4th 2.0 | |
Alexis Peterson misses layup | 68 - 78 |
Statistics
 SEA |
 LA |
|
|---|---|---|
| 26-50 | FG | 33-72 |
| 52 | Field Goal % | 46 |
| 4-16 | 3PT | 8-18 |
| 25 | Three Point % | 44 |
| 12-12 | FT | 4-8 |
| 100 | Free Throw % | 50 |
| 27 | Rebounds | 22 |
| 3 | Offensive Rebounds | 5 |
| 24 | Defensive Rebounds | 17 |
| 20 | Assists | 20 |
| 4 | Steals | 14 |
| 7 | Blocks | 0 |
| 23 | Turnovers | 11 |
| 1 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 24 | Total Turnovers | 12 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 1 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 29 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 12 |
| 2 | Fast Break Points | 7 |
| 24 | Points in Paint | 38 |
| 16 | Fouls | 19 |
| 6 | Largest Lead | 10 |
Game Information
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Attendance: 10,603 · Capacity:
2025-26 Western Conference Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Minnesota |
- | 7 | W4 | 0.8055556 | 29 |
 Golden State |
3.5 | 9 | W5 | 0.72727275 | 24 |
 Las Vegas |
5 | 12 | L1 | 0.6666667 | 24 |
 Dallas |
8.5 | 15 | L1 | 0.5714286 | 20 |
 Portland |
13.5 | 20 | W2 | 0.42857143 | 15 |
 Phoenix |
16 | 23 | L1 | 0.3611111 | 13 |
 Los Angeles |
16 | 22 | L4 | 0.3529412 | 12 |
 Seattle |
22.5 | 30 | L2 | 0.1891892 | 7 |
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