LOS ANGELES — The Sparks turned up their defensive intensity in the fourth quarter as they tried to overcome a 13-point deficit.
The Sparks pulled within one with 3:44 left but could not complete the comeback after their offense was stifled by the Atlanta Dream for the first three quarters in an 88-82 loss on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Sparks forward Dearica Hamby scored 20 of her game-high 28 points in the second half. She also had eight assists, six rebounds and four steals.
Kelsey Plum scored 19 of her 27 points in the second half and finished with five assists and four steals for the Sparks, who dropped to 2-4. Azurá Stevens finished with a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Plum’s three-point play cut Atlanta’s lead to 51-45 with 4:47 left in third quarter, but the Dream’s next three possessions resulted in a layup and short jumper by Allisha Gray and a 3-pointer from Rhyne Howard for a 58-45 advantage. Atlanta went on to lead 66-53 heading to the fourth quarter.
The Sparks opened the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run to get within 66-63 with 7:42 remaining.
Sparks rookie forward Liatu King’s jumper cut what had been a 17-point deficit late in the third to 69-67 with 5:20 remaining. A Plum 3-pointer cut the margin to 71-70 with 4:22 left, but 3-pointers from Howard and Gray helped Atlanta maintain a five-point lead (79-74) with three minutes to play.
Stevens hit a 3-pointer for the Sparks to make it 81-77 with 59 seconds left, but Naz Hillmon’s deep 3-pointer put Atlanta back ahead by seven. Gray added four free throws to close it out.
Atlanta (4-2) was led by its trio of All-Stars. Gray had 25 points, six assists and five rebounds. Howard had 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and Brionna Jones added 13 points. Hillmon scored 11 points and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added 10.
Sparks forward Rickea Jackson was held scoreless in 12 minutes off bench. Jackson checked in with 4:30 left in the first quarter after missing three straight games while recovering from a concussion that she suffered on May 18.
Sparks coach Lynne Roberts knew her team was going to be in for a challenge because of similarities in style of play between the two teams.
“It’s the tale of the same,” Roberts said before the game. “Similar styles, so I think we both know what gives that system fits and I’m sure we’re both going to try to do it.”
Atlanta coach Karl Smesko also acknowledged several parallels for the former college coaches, who are just a few games into their respective WNBA coaching careers.
Both teams were encouraged to fire away from 3-point range.
The Sparks shot 8 for 19 (42.1%) from behind the arc, while Atlanta finished 11 for 30 (36.7%) including a 7-for-12 showing after halftime.
“We kind of believe in a similar philosophy in terms of shot selection and we’ve both been kind of managing the roster through injuries,” Smesko said. “There are a lot similarities. This is the W, you don’t have time to dwell on any of it. People have to step up. They have to play. Hope they play well. You have to steal some wins when you can. You’re just hopeful that you at some point get your full team and you’re fully healthy to go.”
Atlanta played without center Brittney Griner and former Sparks guard Jordin Canada, both of whom are dealing with knee injuries.
Maya Caldwell’s 3-pointer gave Atlanta a 16-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Dream added three 3-pointers to open the second period and went on to lead 40-31 at halftime.
The Sparks shot 32.3% in the first half (10 for 31), with Plum and Hamby each scoring eight points.
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The Sparks will play at Las Vegas (2-2) on Friday at 7 p.m.
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