{
  "id": 2706114,
  "title": "Sparks end skid as Burrell has 20 in 77-68 win over Sun",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/sparks-end-skid-as-burrell-has-20-in-77-68-win-over-sun",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-23T03:33:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/sparks-end-skid-burrell-20-033358256.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Rae Burrell scored 20 points and the Los Angeles Sparks ended a six-game losing streak with a 77-68 win over the Connecticut Sun on Saturday night. Nneka Ogwumike, who announced her retirement on Wednesday, had 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Sparks (13-24), her 131st career double-double. Erica Wheeler also had 11 points and Dearica Hamby had 10.",
  "key_points": [
    "Los Angeles Sparks end six-game losing streak with 77-68 win over Connecticut Sun",
    "Rae Burrell scores 20 points, marking her 131st career double-double",
    "Sparks hold Sun to 11 points below league average of 93.6 per game"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The win breaks the Sparks' six-game losing streak, showcasing their resilience against a depleted Sun team and setting a positive tone for their upcoming home stand against Atlanta.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Sparks end skid as Burrell has 20 in 77-68 win over Sun",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/sparks-end-skid-as-burrell-has-20-in-77-68-win-over-sun-2710449",
        "published": "2026-08-23T03:35:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}