Los Angeles Sparks at Phoenix Mercury
· Women's National Basketball AssociationHamby scores 25, Burrell 20 but Sparks knocked from playoffs despite 88-83 win over Mercury
The Sparks needed a win and a Seattle loss to send the chase for the last playoff spot to the last day of the season on Thursday, but the Storm pulled out a 74-73 win over Golden State.
Phoenix, the No. 4 seed, will host fifth-seeded New York, the defending champion, in the best-of-three series when the playoffs open on Sunday.
Hamby's layup put the Sparks on top for good at 76-74 with 4:16 to play. She followed that with a three-point play. She added a three-point play with 1:01 to go for an 86-81 lead. There were 17 lead changes.
Kelsey Plum added 17 points for the Sparks (21-22).
Alyssa Thomas had her eighth triple-double of the season for the Mercury (27-16) with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, but she and the other Phoenix starters sat out the fourth quarter, Satou Sabally led the Mercury with 24 points and Sami Whitcomb added 11.
Phoenix led 25-19 after one quarter but the Sparks were up 45-44 at half.
Los Angeles opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run for a 54-44 lead and then the Mercury stormed back to take a 59-58 lead on Whitcomb's 3-pointer.
Burrell's driving layup in the last minute, when she tied her career high of 18 points, was the difference as the Sparks took a 63-62 lead into the fourth quarter.
Regular Season Series
PHX wins series 3-1
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 88 - 83 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 88 - 83 |
| 4th 1.2 |  |
Azura Stevens makes free throw 2 of 2 | 88 - 83 |
| 4th 1.2 | |
Sarah Ashlee Barker enters the game for Rae Burrell | 87 - 83 |
| 4th 1.2 | |
Azura Stevens makes free throw 1 of 2 | 87 - 83 |
Statistics
 LA |
 PHX |
|
|---|---|---|
| 29-69 | FG | 30-72 |
| 42 | Field Goal % | 42 |
| 9-31 | 3PT | 10-30 |
| 29 | Three Point % | 33 |
| 21-25 | FT | 13-17 |
| 84 | Free Throw % | 76 |
| 35 | Rebounds | 39 |
| 9 | Offensive Rebounds | 11 |
| 26 | Defensive Rebounds | 28 |
| 21 | Assists | 20 |
| 7 | Steals | 7 |
| 4 | Blocks | 3 |
| 9 | Turnovers | 12 |
| 1 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 10 | Total Turnovers | 12 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 8 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 13 |
| 9 | Fast Break Points | 0 |
| 38 | Points in Paint | 32 |
| 13 | Fouls | 18 |
| 10 | Largest Lead | 8 |
Game Information
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Attendance: 13,151 · Capacity:
2025-26 Western Conference Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Las Vegas |
- | 5 | W3 | 0.75 | 15 |
 Minnesota |
- | 5 | L1 | 0.75 | 15 |
 Golden State |
1.5 | 7 | W4 | 0.6666667 | 14 |
 Dallas |
3 | 8 | W1 | 0.6 | 12 |
 Los Angeles |
6 | 10 | L2 | 0.44444445 | 8 |
 Portland |
6.5 | 12 | W1 | 0.42857143 | 9 |
 Phoenix |
7.5 | 13 | W3 | 0.3809524 | 8 |
 Seattle |
11 | 17 | L2 | 0.22727273 | 5 |
WNBA News
Carla Leite scores 20, Portland Fire beat Seattle Storm 77-72
— Carla Leite scored 20 points to lead the Portland Fire to a 77-72 victory over the Seattle Storm on Saturday night.
Aces' Wilson to miss third straight game Sunday vs. Fever
The Aces will be without four-time MVP A'ja Wilson for a third straight game Sunday against the Fever as she nurses a right ankle injury.
Valkyries complete season sweep of Dream with 88-83 victory
— Veronica Burton scored 21 points and Gabby Williams had 14 of her 19 points in the second half to help the Golden State Valkyries complete a season sweep of the Atlanta Dream with an 88-83 victory on Saturday.
Valkyries down the Dream on the road
Valkyries down the Dream on the road