The Los Angeles Sparks defeated the Washington Mystics 81-78 to keep slim playoff hopes alive with two weeks left in the regular season. Dearica Hamby scored 20 points with 12 rebounds for her 11th double-double, and Kelsey Plum added 18 points, four rebounds and six assists. Washington hit three three-pointers in the final minute, but Hamby's jumper and Plum's late free throws sealed the victory. The Sparks sit ninth at 18-20 and likely must win the majority of six remaining games while hoping Golden State loses, as Golden State owns the season-series tiebreaker. The team improved pacing and shot execution but committed 13 turnovers.
It was a critical win for a ninth-place Sparks team that entered Sunday three wins behind the Golden State Valkyries for the final playoff spot. The Sparks (18-20) likely need to win the majority of their final six games, which include two tough road tests against Atlanta this week and games against Phoenix and Las Vegas during the final week of the regular season. They also need the Valkyries to lose.
Washington hit a trio of three-pointers in the final minute, but Dearica Hamby's jumper in the paint and Kelsey Plum 's two free throws in the final 20 seconds were enough to seal a Sparks win. Hamby led the Sparks with 20 points and 12 rebounds, recording her 11th double-double of the season. Plum added 18 points, four rebounds and six assists. Rickea Jackson contributed 16 points and Azurá Stevens had 12 rebounds.
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