In a game that looked to reignite some faith for Los Angeles and their playoff contention, the Sparks ultimately could not win against the Minnesota Lynx, losing 66-57.

The Sparks sit dead last in the WNBA Western Conference and at the 10th seed for the playoffs. Quick reminder: The WNBA playoff seeding is throughout the entire league so, the top 8 teams, regardless of standing within their own conference, make the postseason. With a 10-18 record, LA is just one game behind the 9th seeded Mystics and the 8th seeded Liberty.

The potential to make the postseason is fading for the Sparks, especially after a poor shooting performance against the Lynx. They started the first with no offensive rhythm, shooting 6-of-16 from field goal range. However, they continued to force the ball over and surprisingly went into the second quarter with the lead.

Los Angeles adjusted and found the chemistry they were missing in the second quarter, where they were able to slightly pull away and keep the lead going into halftime.

The second half of the game did not go as expected for the Sparks as their offensive slump returned. Minnesota continued how they left off in the second, going on an 11-1 run and cutting down the Sparks lead.

Nneka Ogwumike, wanting to keep the Sparks' momentum, scored a three over Sylvia Fowles with 6:40 left. Little would Ogwumike and the Sparks know, but that would be their only field goal of the fourth quarter. Bridgette Carelton would counter Ogwumike’s three with a dagger three of her own. The Sparks had no offensive response and lost 66-57.

In a close game with many lead changes, the Lynx stepped up in the fourth and shut the Sparks down.

“We didn't quite manage the run how we wanted to,” acknowledged Ogwumike.

The Sparks were 1-of-13 in the fourth and scored only 4 points. “I personally don't think we take smart shots every possession… We need to do better of being aware of each other on the offensive end,” she added.

Ogwumike, although a -11 on the plus/minus column, seemed much more in rhythm finishing with a 16 point, 10 rebounds, double-double. She was one of the only two players to score in the second half. The other player was Erica Wheeler.

Wheeler also got 16 points of her own, along with seven assists, and reached a WNBA milestone with her 700th career assist in tonight’s loss. 

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As for the Minnesota Lynx, they shot only slightly better than the Sparks, but that was enough to win. Western Conference Player of the Month, Sylvia Fowles, had another impressive night with 15 points and 17 rebounds. Kayla McBride led the Lynx with 17 points, six rebounds, and two assists.

The road to the playoffs continues to narrow for the Sparks as they have a rough season-ending schedule. In a week, they will face the number one team in the league, the Connecticut Suns, followed by the fourth-seeded Seattle Storm.

With only four games left, every game counts for the Sparks.

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