Sparks end skid as Burrell has 20 in 77-68 win over Sun

In a hard-fought contest on Saturday night, the Los Angeles Sparks ended their six-game losing streak with a 77-68 victory over the Connecticut Sun. Rae Burrell led the way for the Sparks with 20 points, while Nneka Ogwumike added 11 points and 11 rebounds, marking her 131st career double-double. Erica Wheeler and Dearica Hamby each contributed 11 points for the Sparks, while Saniya Rivers scored 14 points off the bench for the Sun.

The Sun, without key players Brittney Griner (knee) and Aaliyah Edwards (ankle), were managed by Leila Lacan, who scored 13 points, and Kennedy Burke, who added 10. Despite giving up 30 points due to 25 turnovers, the Sparks managed to hold the Sun to 11 points below their league average of 93.6 points per game. A crucial 3-pointer by Wheeler at the end of the fourth quarter put the Sparks ahead 77-55, but the Sun mounted a strong comeback, scoring 13 straight points as the clock wound down.

The Sun fell short in the final moments as they missed their last five shots. The Sparks took a halftime lead of 44-36, and their strong third-quarter performance, with 9 of 12 shots made, further solidified their lead. Connecticut's Nneka Ogwumike was ejected early in the fourth quarter for a flagrant 2 foul, while the Sun's Leila Lacan emerged as the Sun's top scorer in the match.

The Sun's next match is a home game against Chicago on Tuesday, while the Sparks will play Game three in a four-game home stand against Atlanta on Monday.