Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever overwhelm Sparks, who drop their second straight game

"Following the Sparks blowout loss to Las Vegas on Sunday, Nneka Ogwumike made a promise; on Wednesday, the defense would be better. Against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, the Sparks' defense fizzled in the first half and couldn't generate shooting consistency until far too late during a 87-78 loss, their second consecutive to start the season."

"The Sparks finished with 19 turnovers, which the Fever (1-1) converted into 24 points. The first quarter was a track meet. Indiana shot 53% and the Sparks went 47% from the floor, even with Cameron Brink's monster block on Clark. Indiana extended an 11-point lead midway through the second quarter. By halftime, it was a 14-point deficit for the Sparks."

"The Fever shot 9-for-15 (60%) in that second quarter, including 4-for-10 from three-point range while the Sparks lost five turnovers. Some shots didn't fall for the Sparks, but the perimeter defense was the primary problem. Indiana outscored the Sparks 20-18 in the third quarter to lead by as much as 21, and though the Fever's shooting finally cooled to 5-for-14, the Sparks' offense didn't produce enough to come back."

"Behind some late baskets from Brink during an 11-3 run, the Sparks cut it to a seven-point deficit with just under two minutes left in the fourth. Rookie guard Chance Gray played much of that quarter with Ariel Atkins out for most of the half with a head injury. For much of the game, small forward Rae Burrell guarded Clark, who netted 24 points with nine assists, but it was Kelsey Mitchell's night, too, as the shooting guard finished with 23 points."

The Sparks lost 87-78 to the Indiana Fever in their second consecutive season loss. Indiana’s offense controlled the game, especially in the second quarter, when it shot 60% and hit 4 of 10 from three-point range. The Sparks’ defense allowed consistent scoring and perimeter breakdowns, while the Sparks committed 19 turnovers that Indiana converted into 24 points. Indiana built an 11-point lead midway through the second quarter and led by 14 at halftime. The Fever extended the advantage in the third quarter and maintained control even as its shooting cooled. Kelsey Plum scored 25 points and Dearica Hamby added 16 points and eight rebounds, but the Sparks could not generate enough offense late to overcome the deficit.

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