The Sparks end losing streak after beating the Fever 106-92

The Los Angeles Sparks #12 Rae Burrell (G) blows by several Indiana Fever defenders while driving to the basket for a layup at the Crypto.com Arena. Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 July 8, 2026.

LOS ANGELES - When you get tired of losing, and you lose three games straight, the Los Angeles Sparks (9-11) decided enough is enough. Nneka Ogwumike with 24 points and 8 rebounds, Rae Burrell with 22 points, Dearica Hamby with 21 points, and Erica Wheeler and Ariel Atkins both with 12 points helped knock off the Indiana Fever (12-9) at the Crypto.com Arena, 106-92.

It was the return of Caitlin Clark for the Fever from a leg injury, who made only 4 of her 12 shots for 9 points, but Kelsey Mitchell, with 29 points, was giving the Sparks problems trying to guard her, followed by Lexi Hull with 14 points, Damiris Damtas with 12 points, and Tyasha Harris with 10 points.

Indiana on the night  made 33 of 77 shots for 43% and 11-34 from the three-point arc for 32%, and 16 turnovers, while Los Angeles made 40 of 79 shots for 51% and  9 of 20 from the three-point arc for 45%, and 11 turnovers.

The Sparks will have to give credit to their defense, which got  their offense going, and their head coach, Lynne Roberts, had plenty to smile about after the game.

"I'm obviously thrilled we won," Roberts said. "But I'm happier with how we played."

Kelsey Plum had a motivating talk with her teammates before the game, and it showed on the court.

"KP lit a fire under our asses," Burrell said with a smile. "We were ready to play after that."

Indiana Fever #0 Kelsey Mitchell (G) is being guarded by the Los Angeles Sparks #23 Kiana Williams (G) while pushing the ball up the court at the Crypto.com Arena. Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 July 8, 2026.

The Fever took an 11-6 lead in the first quarter after Kelsey Mitchell stole the ball from Dearica Hamby and nailed  a three-pointer in front of her bench. Hamby would drive to the basket for a layup, making the score 18-15 in favor of the Fever.

Los Angeles trailed by ten points, 25-15, when Catlin Clark drove to the basket for a layup. The Sparks trailed at the end of the quarter, 25-21.

The Sparks were down 27-26 in the second quarter with a three-pointer by Ariel Atkins. Indiana pushed their lead up to 34-28 with a layup by Mitchell.

Los Angeles Sparks #30 Nneka Ogwumike (F) knocks down a three-point shot in front of her bench to give them their first lead of the game against the Indiana Fever defense at the Crypto.com Arena. Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 July 8, 2026.

Los Angeles got their first lead of the game, 36-34, with a three-pointer by Ogwumike.  Rae Burrell gave the Sparks a 42-36 lead with a pair of free throws.

Burrell gave the Sparks an eight-point lead, 46-38, after being fouled on her layup attempt. Los Angeles led by seven points at halftime, 48-41.

Hamby led the Sparks in scoring with 13 points, and Burrell and Ogwumike both had 10 points, while Mitchell led the Fever in scoring with 13 points.

Indiana Fever #22 Caitlin Clark (G) is being defended by the Los Angeles Sparks #17 Erica Wheeler (G) while driving toward the basket at the Crypto.com Arena. Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 July 8, 2026.

In the third quarter, Clark threw a bad pass, and the ball was stolen by Atkins, who raced down the court for a layup to give the Sparks a 55-43 lead. Indiana began to tighten up their defense, trying to stay close. Mitchell would knock down a three-pointer, making the score 59-53 with 6:03 left in the quarter.

Los Angeles would respond with a 9-2 run to go 68-55 with a layup by Ogwumike. Burrell would give the Sparks an 82-71 lead with her three-point shot just before the buzzer ended the quarter.

The Fever trailed in the fourth quarter, 91-79, after Damtas drove to the basket for a layup. With about 2:47 left in the game. Mitchell, with a step-back jump shot, made the score 97-85. Hamby would drive to the basket for another layup that would make the final score 106-92.

The Sparks will try  to make it a two-game win streak when they take on the Chicago Sky at home on Friday Night.