Stevens scores 23 as Sparks beat Fever 85-75, ending four-game skid
INDIANAPOLIS — Azura Stevens scored 23 points, Kelsey Plum had 21 points and six assists, and the Los Angeles Sparks ended a four-game losing streak by beating the short-handed Indiana Fever 85-75 on Thursday night.
Indiana played without Caitlin Clark due to a groin injury . Clark had recently returned from a quad injury that kept her sidelined for five games. She returned on June 14 and scored 32 points to help the Fever to a 102-88 victory against the Liberty.
Plum made a 3-pointer with 4:13 left to give Los Angeles a 67-66 lead, its first since the opening minute of the second quarter. She added two free throws on their next possession to cap a 21-8 run spanning the third-quarter break.
Los Angeles sealed it by grabbing two offensive rebounds with under a minute to play. Dearica Hamby was fouled while making a layup to give the Sparks a 79-75 lead. She missed the free throw but Stevens grabbed it and completed a three-point play to make it 81-75 with 49 seconds left.
Hamby and Rickea Jackson each scored 14 points for Los Angeles (5-11).
Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana (7-8) with 20 points and Aliyah Boston had 12 points, 10 rebounds and five steals.
MYSTICS 94, ACES 83
LAS VEGAS — Rookie Sonia Citron scored 21 points, Sug Sutton added 17 and short-handed Washington beat Las Vegas for its third straight victory.
Washington played without leading scorer Brittney Sykes, who is averaging 19.6 points per game, for the second straight game with a right lower leg injury. Guard Jade Melbourne left in the first quarter and did not return after getting hit in the face.
Lucy Olsen came off the bench and scored 14 points in 37 minutes for Washington (8-8). Shakira Austin had 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Kiki Iriafen added 12 points and nine boards.
A'ja Wilson led Las Vegas (7-8) with 22 points. Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young each scored 13, and Jewell Loyd added 11.
Washington opened the third quarter on a 9-0 run to take a 62-44 lead. The lead increased to 22 points, 79-57, later in the frame on Sutton's 3-pointer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Republic of Ireland well beaten by USA in friendly
A depleted Republic of Ireland proved no match for the United States as they succumbed to the hosts in Friday's friendly in the high altitude of Denver. Shorn of a host of regulars including rested captain Katie McCabe, and the injured Megan Campbell and Denise O'Sullivan, it was always going to be a tough task against the world's number one team and so it proved. Advertisement Avery Patterson, Sam Coffey, Rose Lavelle and Alyssa Thompson were all on target for Emma Hayes' hosts. Despite the USA resting all of their European-based stars aside from Chelsea's Naomi Girma, they were quick to assert themselves. They threatened from the off with Thompson denied by Courtney Brosnan from point-blank range, before the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper - captaining the team on her 50th cap - turned a low Claire Hutton effort around the post. However, the opener was coming and in the 18th minute, Lavelle picked up possession from a short corner and swung a teasing ball into the box for Patterson to nod home. Advertisement Despite some stout Irish defending, the USA doubled their lead when Coffey cut through the defence and produced a composed finish. There was no reprieve in the second period as the USA continued to press for goals and they were rewarded just seven minutes in when Lavelle finished off a crisp move. Number four came in the 63rd minute as Thompson managed to get past Jessie Stapleton and head for goal before curling home a fine shot to wrap up a comfortable win. While the woodwork denied Olivia Moultrie late on, the USA laid down a marker before they play again in Cincinnati on Sunday (20:00 BST).
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Rangers host the Mariners on 3-game home skid
Seattle Mariners (41-39, second in the AL West) vs. Texas Rangers (40-41, fourth in the AL West) Arlington, Texas; Friday, 8:05 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Mariners: Logan Gilbert (2-2, 3.12 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 60 strikeouts); Rangers: Nathan Eovaldi (0-0) Advertisement BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Mariners -111, Rangers -108; over/under is 7 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Texas Rangers look to stop their three-game home skid with a win against the Seattle Mariners. Texas is 40-41 overall and 23-16 at home. Rangers pitchers have a collective 3.26 ERA, which ranks second in the majors. Seattle has a 21-20 record in road games and a 41-39 record overall. The Mariners have the 10th-best team slugging percentage in the majors at .404. The teams play Friday for the seventh time this season. The Mariners lead the season series 5-1. TOP PERFORMERS: Wyatt Langford ranks second on the Rangers with 23 extra base hits (10 doubles and 13 home runs). Josh Smith is 12 for 40 with three doubles, two home runs and four RBIs over the last 10 games. Advertisement Julio Rodriguez has 11 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs and 41 RBIs while hitting .249 for the Mariners. Donovan Solano is 15 for 31 with a double and three home runs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Rangers: 5-5, .222 batting average, 4.04 ERA, outscored by eight runs Mariners: 5-5, .265 batting average, 4.45 ERA, outscored opponents by 13 runs INJURIES: Rangers: Wyatt Langford: day-to-day (side), Jake Burger: 10-Day IL (oblique), Tyler Mahle: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Nathan Eovaldi: 15-Day IL (tricep), Joc Pederson: 10-Day IL (hand), Cody Bradford: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jon Gray: 60-Day IL (wrist), Josh Sborz: 60-Day IL (shoulder) Advertisement Mariners: Bryce Miller: 15-Day IL (elbow), Collin Snider: 15-Day IL (forearm), Gregory Santos: 60-Day IL (knee), Victor Robles: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Bliss: 60-Day IL (biceps) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. The Associated Press
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Twins visit the Tigers to start 3-game series
Minnesota Twins (39-42, third in the AL Central) vs. Detroit Tigers (51-31, first in the AL Central) Detroit; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Twins: TBD; Tigers: Sawyer Gipson-Long (0-0, 4.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 13 strikeouts) Advertisement BOTTOM LINE: The Detroit Tigers host the Minnesota Twins on Friday to open a three-game series. Detroit is 51-31 overall and 28-13 at home. The Tigers have the sixth-best team ERA in MLB play at 3.46. Minnesota has a 17-25 record on the road and a 39-42 record overall. The Twins have hit 93 total home runs to rank seventh in the AL. Friday's game is the fourth meeting between these teams this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Gleyber Torres has eight home runs, 41 walks and 40 RBIs while hitting .281 for the Tigers. Riley Greene is 17 for 40 with five doubles, three home runs and 13 RBIs over the last 10 games. Advertisement Ty France has 15 doubles and six home runs for the Twins. Byron Buxton is 12 for 39 with two doubles and six home runs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Tigers: 5-5, .272 batting average, 4.15 ERA, outscored opponents by 10 runs Twins: 3-7, .251 batting average, 6.55 ERA, outscored by 16 runs INJURIES: Tigers: Jackson Jobe: 60-Day IL (flexor), Jason Foley: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alex Cobb: 60-Day IL (hip), Matt Vierling: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Reese Olson: 15-Day IL (finger), Ty Madden: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (elbow), Alex Lange: 60-Day IL (lat) Twins: Royce Lewis: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Pablo Lopez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Zebby Matthews: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Luke Keaschall: 60-Day IL (forearm) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
