Los Angeles Sparks at Washington Mystics
· Women's National Basketball AssociationBrittney Sykes scores season-high 28 to help Mystics beat Sparks 80-74, snap 5-game skid
Ariel Atkins scored 15 points and Stefanie Dolson finished with a season-high eight assists for Washington (7-22).
The Mystics trailed 41-38 at halftime and 55-54 after the third before pulling away with a strong fourth-quarter effort.
Washington opened the fourth on a 10-0 run with Sykes setting up back-to-back layups by Austin before a basket from Emily Engstler made it 64-55 with 7:24 to play. Dearica Hamby answered with a basket and then hit 1 of 2 free throws for Los Angeles to trim its deficit to six points, but that six-point margin was as close as the Sparks would get.
Rickea Jackson led Los Angeles with 17 points. Hamby finished with nine points and 10 rebounds while Azurá Stevens posted nine points and nine rebounds.
Los Angeles (6-23) has lost six games in a row.
The Sparks made 28 of 75 (37.3%) from the field hit 6 of 27 (22.2%) from 3-point range while committing 18 turnovers.
Regular Season Series
WSH wins series 2-1
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 74 - 80 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 74 - 80 |
| 4th 15.1 |  |
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough defensive rebound | 74 - 80 |
| 4th 18.1 |  |
Shakira Austin blocks Li Yueru 's 2-foot layup | 74 - 80 |
| 4th 23.1 | |
Sparks timeout | 74 - 80 |
Statistics
 LA |
 WSH |
|
|---|---|---|
| 28-75 | FG | 33-73 |
| 37 | Field Goal % | 45 |
| 6-27 | 3PT | 5-23 |
| 22 | Three Point % | 22 |
| 12-15 | FT | 9-14 |
| 80 | Free Throw % | 64 |
| 37 | Rebounds | 36 |
| 8 | Offensive Rebounds | 8 |
| 29 | Defensive Rebounds | 28 |
| 18 | Assists | 23 |
| 12 | Steals | 13 |
| 3 | Blocks | 5 |
| 18 | Turnovers | 14 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 18 | Total Turnovers | 14 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 2 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 2 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 17 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 11 |
| 9 | Fast Break Points | 11 |
| 36 | Points in Paint | 40 |
| 11 | Fouls | 13 |
| 5 | Largest Lead | 11 |
Game Information
Location: Washington, DC
Attendance: 4,200 · Capacity:
2024-25 Western Conference Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Minnesota |
- | 10 | W1 | 0.77272725 | 34 |
 Las Vegas |
4 | 14 | W16 | 0.6818182 | 30 |
 Phoenix |
7 | 17 | L3 | 0.6136364 | 27 |
 Seattle |
11 | 21 | W1 | 0.52272725 | 23 |
 Golden State |
11 | 21 | L3 | 0.52272725 | 23 |
 Los Angeles |
13 | 23 | L1 | 0.47727272 | 21 |
 Dallas |
24 | 34 | W1 | 0.22727273 | 10 |
2024-25 Eastern Conference Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Atlanta |
- | 14 | W6 | 0.6818182 | 30 |
 New York |
3 | 17 | W3 | 0.6136364 | 27 |
 Indiana |
6 | 20 | W3 | 0.54545456 | 24 |
 Washington |
14 | 28 | L10 | 0.36363637 | 16 |
 Connecticut |
19 | 33 | L2 | 0.25 | 11 |
 Chicago |
20 | 34 | L4 | 0.22727273 | 10 |
WNBA News
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The WNBA and union exchanged about 15 proposals between Tuesday and the early hours of Saturday morning.
WNBA: Urgent to reach new CBA by Monday to not impact season
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters that there is urgency to get a new CBA done by Monday to avoid disruptions to the preseason calendar, including training camp and preseason games.
WNBPA's Jackson hopeful as sides 'chip away' in CBA negotiations
WNBPA chief Terri Carmichael Jackson expressed optimism on Day 4 of CBA negotiations with the league, saying that continued conversations have helped "chip away at what the concerns are for both sides."
USA women def. Puerto Rico at FIBA World Cup qualifiers
The U.S. women's national team secured its second win of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday, beating host team Puerto Rico 91-48.
WNBA collective bargaining negotiations hold up Brondello's Tempo signings
Sandy Brondello has pretty much won and done it all in her coaching career, but building a team without any players is a first.