INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — In a thrilling matchup on Saturday night, the Los Angeles Sparks outlasted the Indiana Fever with a narrow 89-87 victory, marking their second win in Indianapolis in just nine days. This exciting game featured standout performances from Azura Stevens and Kelsey Plum, who scored 21 and 20 points, respectively.
The Sparks, who had previously dominated the fourth quarter in their last encounter, had faced some challenges with two consecutive losses before this game. The Fever, on the other hand, had found success in their last three games, including a victory in the Commissioner's Cup, despite playing without their star player, Caitlin Clark. Clark has been sidelined for five consecutive games due to a groin injury.
This matchup was tightly contested throughout, with neither team able to secure a decisive lead. The Sparks' largest advantage came early in the game, where they led by three points in the first quarter. Conversely, the Fever managed to stretch their lead to eight points midway through the third quarter. The competitive nature of the game was evident, with both teams exchanging leads multiple times.
For the Sparks, Dearica Hamby contributed significantly with 18 points, while Rickea Jackson added 15 points, including a crucial go-ahead basket that put the Sparks ahead 88-87 with just 57.4 seconds remaining in the game. In a dramatic closing minute, Indiana struggled to find the basket, missing their last five shots, including four attempts in the final seconds.
In a pivotal moment, Stevens rebounded a missed shot and was fouled, successfully converting a free throw with only 3.3 seconds left on the clock. The Fever called for a reset timeout, but Aliyah Boston's shot from the top of the key fell short. Boston led Indiana with an impressive 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Natasha Howard added 21 points and 9 rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell also made a notable contribution with 19 points.
During the game, Natasha Howard reached a significant milestone, surpassing 2,000 career rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell made history as well, reaching 600 three-pointers with her third successful shot of the night. Furthermore, she broke a tie with Fever assistant coach Briann January, playing in her 251st game for the Fever, the second-most in franchise history, trailing only Tamika Catchings.
Looking ahead, the Fever will return home to face the Golden State on Wednesday, while the Sparks will be looking to build on their victory against Minnesota at home on Thursday.
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