The Sparks have drop three games in a row after losing to Seattle 82-64

The Los Angeles Sparks # 5 Dearica Hamby (F) drove to the basket for a layup against the Seattle Storm in the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Photo by DeAngelo Scuggs/TGSportstv1 July 6, 2026.

‍LOS ANGELES - Dearica Hamby had 17 points, and Nneka Ogwumike had 14 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough, as the Los Angeles Sparks (8-11) committed 18 turnovers and had the ball stolen 14 times in their 82-64 loss against the Seattle Storm (6-17) at Crypto.com Arena.

Flau’jae Johnson led the Storm in scoring with 23 points, Natasha Hiedeman with 15 points, and Jade Melbourne with 11 points. The Sparks' defense hasn’t been up to par lately, and it is really making it hard for them to win games. After the game, Hamby gave a simple answer.

"Stop them from scoring," Hamby said. "I don't really have another answer."

Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink, both out with injuries for Los Angeles, and the poor shooting at home, 22-65 for 34%, and 5-29 from three-point range, 17%, and the slow start, have now lost three games in a row.

Seattle Storm #4 Flau’jae Johnson (F) is dribbling the basketball up court looking for a team mate to pass the ball to while looking over the Los Angeles Sparks defense. Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 July 6, 2026.

With Plum carrying most of the load as their point guard, other players who handle the ball have to step up and make better decisions on the court.

"With Kelsey Plum out, more players have to handle and push the ball in transition," Ogwumike said. "I feel comfortable doing it, and Erica Wheeler can certainly do it, but she shouldn't have to shoulder that responsibility all game. We need multiple players making instinctive decisions in transition."

The Storm came out of the gate and jumped out on the Sparks 9-4 with a jump shot by Johnson. Los Angeles trailed Seattle  17-12 in the first quarter, with two free throws by Dearica Hamby. The Sparks trailed at the end of the first quarter, 20-15, thanks to a deep three-pointer by Ogwumike. Johnson was on fire with 13 points in the quarter

Los Angeles Sparks #30 Nneka Ogwumike (F) is going up for a jump shot inside the key over several Seattle Storm defenders at Crypto.com Arena. Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 July 6, 2026.

Seattle led 23-15 in the second quarter with a three-pointer by Katie Lue Samuelson. Hamby had the Sparks down 38-30 with a dribble-drive to the basket for a layup.

Johnson, with a put-back basket, gave the Storm  a 44-33 lead with 1:35 left before halftime. Seattle led at halftime, 48-37. Johnson led both teams in scoring with 17 points, followed by Hamby with 14 points, and Ogwumike with 8 points.

The poor shooting and turnovers continue for the Sparks in the third quarter, now trailing the Storm 63-40 with a jump shot by Jordan Horston. Seattle would end the quarter leading 68-45 after a three-pointer by Katie Lue Samuelson.

Los Angeles trailed by twenty points in the fourth quarter, 68-48, after Chance Gray knocked down a three-point shot from the left side of the basket. Ogwumike continued to battle and pulled up for a jump shot that had the Sparks down 79-55, before falling to the Storm 82-64.