Jordin Canada’s 3-pointer with 3.1 seconds remaining capped a fourth-quarter rally, and the host Los Angeles Sparks snapped a franchise-worst, eight-game losing streak with a 79-78 defeat of the Indiana Fever on Tuesday.
Los Angeles (8-15) came into Tuesday’s contest, the first of two straight against visiting Indiana, winless since June 25. The Sparks appeared to be in danger of a ninth consecutive loss when their 11-point lead with 7:28 left in the third quarter was gone by the end of the period.
The Sparks also endured a 4:17 drought without a field goal in the fourth quarter. The Fever could not fully capitalize, however, expanding their lead to only five points.
That let Los Angeles remain in striking distance until the Sparks took their only lead of the last eight minutes on Canada’s go-ahead bucket in the closing seconds.
The Sparks set up the game-winner thanks to Nneka Ogwumike, who scored six of her game-high 30 points in the final 2:39 — including two on a put-back with 38.1 seconds remaining.
That basket cut Indiana’s lead to two, allowing Los Angeles to defend without fouling on the ensuing Fever possession, which ended with a missed 3-point attempt by Victoria Vivians. Zia Cooke got the rebound for Los Angeles.
Canada finished with 20 points, and Ogwumike’s eight rebounds were the game high.
Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana (6-17) with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor. Vivians scored 17 points and Erica Wheeler finished with 15 points and a team-high eight assists.
Azura Stevens collected 15 points and six rebounds for Los Angeles. Two of her points came on a critical jumper with 1:13 to keep the Sparks within a possession. Canada assisted on the play, one of her game-high 10 assists.
–Field Level Media
