Deadspin | Ryan Nembhard totals 23 assists as Mavericks roll past Bulls Apr 12, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (9) dribbles as Chicago Bulls guard Mac McClung (5) defends during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Ryan Nembhard notched the second-most assists in a game in Dallas history as the Mavericks defeated the visiting Chicago Bulls 149-128 on Sunday. Nembhard fell narrowly short of a triple-double in the season-ending clash, chalking up 15 points, nine rebounds and 23 assists. Only current Dallas coach Jason Kidd, with 25 assists in February 1996, has registered more for the Mavericks. John Poulakidas scored a career-best 28 points off the bench for Dallas (26-56), including 8 of 16 from 3-point range. Tyler Smith and AJ Johnson added 20 each for the Mavs, and Moussa Cisse paired 17 points with a career-high 20 boards. Cooper Flagg scored 10 points, his stellar rookie campaign ending with 10:11 left in the second quarter after spraining his left ankle on a bad landing while leaping for an offensive rebound. Rob Dillingham scored 25 for Chicago (31-51). Collin Sexton contributed 19, Leonard Miller had 17, and Lachlan Olbrich added a triple-double, finishing with 10 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. Dallas used a 16-0 burst to turn a brief 2-4 deficit into an 18-4 lead and never looked back. Flagg, Khris Middleton and Max Christie were all prolific as the Mavericks hit 15 of 23 from the floor in a first-quarter offensive blitz. Cisse threw down a powerful dunk to end the period with Dallas up 45-34. Smith scored 12 off the Mavericks’ bench in the second frame as the one-way traffic continued. Dallas dominated the quarter at both ends, 35-22, and held sway 80-56 at halftime. Dillingham was the only Bull to really offer resistance, contributing 10 in the second period for a 17-point half. Poulakidas caught fire after the long break, pouring in 22 points for the third quarter, including 6 of 9 from deep. Behind the rookie’s perimeter shooting, Dallas stormed ahead 115-81 and led 119-88 with one to play, despite Flagg, Middleton and Christie all sitting out the entire second half. The Bulls saved some face in the fourth quarter, in which they outscored the Mavericks 40-30. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Ryan #Nembhard #totals #assists #Mavericks #roll #Bulls

Deadspin | Ryan Nembhard totals 23 assists as Mavericks roll past Bulls
Apr 12, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (9) dribbles as Chicago Bulls guard Mac McClung (5) defends during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Ryan Nembhard notched the second-most assists in a game in Dallas history as the Mavericks defeated the visiting Chicago Bulls 149-128 on Sunday.

Nembhard fell narrowly short of a triple-double in the season-ending clash, chalking up 15 points, nine rebounds and 23 assists.

Only current Dallas coach Jason Kidd, with 25 assists in February 1996, has registered more for the Mavericks.

John Poulakidas scored a career-best 28 points off the bench for Dallas (26-56), including 8 of 16 from 3-point range.

Tyler Smith and AJ Johnson added 20 each for the Mavs, and Moussa Cisse paired 17 points with a career-high 20 boards.

Cooper Flagg scored 10 points, his stellar rookie campaign ending with 10:11 left in the second quarter after spraining his left ankle on a bad landing while leaping for an offensive rebound.

Rob Dillingham scored 25 for Chicago (31-51). Collin Sexton contributed 19, Leonard Miller had 17, and Lachlan Olbrich added a triple-double, finishing with 10 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists.

Dallas used a 16-0 burst to turn a brief 2-4 deficit into an 18-4 lead and never looked back.

Flagg, Khris Middleton and Max Christie were all prolific as the Mavericks hit 15 of 23 from the floor in a first-quarter offensive blitz.

Cisse threw down a powerful dunk to end the period with Dallas up 45-34.

Smith scored 12 off the Mavericks’ bench in the second frame as the one-way traffic continued.

Dallas dominated the quarter at both ends, 35-22, and held sway 80-56 at halftime.

Dillingham was the only Bull to really offer resistance, contributing 10 in the second period for a 17-point half.

Poulakidas caught fire after the long break, pouring in 22 points for the third quarter, including 6 of 9 from deep.

Behind the rookie’s perimeter shooting, Dallas stormed ahead 115-81 and led 119-88 with one to play, despite Flagg, Middleton and Christie all sitting out the entire second half.

The Bulls saved some face in the fourth quarter, in which they outscored the Mavericks 40-30.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Ryan #Nembhard #totals #assists #Mavericks #roll #Bulls

Sports news April 13, 2026

Apr 12, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (9) dribbles as Chicago Bulls guard Mac McClung (5) defends during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Ryan Nembhard notched the second-most assists in a game in Dallas history as the Mavericks defeated the visiting Chicago Bulls 149-128 on Sunday.

Nembhard fell narrowly short of a triple-double in the season-ending clash, chalking up 15 points, nine rebounds and 23 assists.

Only current Dallas coach Jason Kidd, with 25 assists in February 1996, has registered more for the Mavericks.

John Poulakidas scored a career-best 28 points off the bench for Dallas (26-56), including 8 of 16 from 3-point range.

Tyler Smith and AJ Johnson added 20 each for the Mavs, and Moussa Cisse paired 17 points with a career-high 20 boards.

Cooper Flagg scored 10 points, his stellar rookie campaign ending with 10:11 left in the second quarter after spraining his left ankle on a bad landing while leaping for an offensive rebound.

Rob Dillingham scored 25 for Chicago (31-51). Collin Sexton contributed 19, Leonard Miller had 17, and Lachlan Olbrich added a triple-double, finishing with 10 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists.

Dallas used a 16-0 burst to turn a brief 2-4 deficit into an 18-4 lead and never looked back.

Flagg, Khris Middleton and Max Christie were all prolific as the Mavericks hit 15 of 23 from the floor in a first-quarter offensive blitz.

Cisse threw down a powerful dunk to end the period with Dallas up 45-34.

Smith scored 12 off the Mavericks’ bench in the second frame as the one-way traffic continued.

Dallas dominated the quarter at both ends, 35-22, and held sway 80-56 at halftime.

Dillingham was the only Bull to really offer resistance, contributing 10 in the second period for a 17-point half.

Poulakidas caught fire after the long break, pouring in 22 points for the third quarter, including 6 of 9 from deep.

Behind the rookie’s perimeter shooting, Dallas stormed ahead 115-81 and led 119-88 with one to play, despite Flagg, Middleton and Christie all sitting out the entire second half.

The Bulls saved some face in the fourth quarter, in which they outscored the Mavericks 40-30.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Ryan #Nembhard #totals #assists #Mavericks #roll #Bulls

IPL 2026: ‘A lot of things need a rethink,’ says Hardik Pandya after MI suffers third consecutive defeat <div id="content-body-70856524" itemprop="articleBody">Mumbai Indians needs a major rethink after suffering a third consecutive defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday, said captain ‌Hardik Pandya.Mumbai lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 18 runs at the Wankhede ⁠Stadium, leaving the five-time champion eighth in the 10-team table with just two points from four matches.Despite ‌boasting several Twenty20 World Cup-winning players—including Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah ‌and Tilak Varma—Mumbai has struggled to ‌generate ⁠any momentum.ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/mi-vs-rcb-ipl-2026-jasprit-bumrah-wicket-less-run-form-bowling-stats-mumbai-indians/article70855022.ece" target="_blank">Bumrah’s wicket-less run an unpleasant confrontation for MI</a>“A lot of things need ⁠a rethink. But we have to see other options we can have, with the bat and the ball,” Pandya said at the ‌post-match presentation.“We need to still bat and bowl well. If you do that, irrespective of the toss (we should be fine).”Mumbai’s struggles have been ‌most evident in the PowerPlay.The lack of early wickets and limited support for Bumrah has raised concerns about the ⁠bowling attack, with opponents able to see off the India pacer before targeting the rest.“Last couple ‌of games, as a bowling and batting unit, we have been catching up. Really need to reflect on what best we can do… and how to get some momentum in the PowerPlay,” Pandya said.Suryakumar, batting at number ‌three, is not firing on all cylinders while Varma’s failures have put more pressure on the batting unit.Pandya could look at moving ⁠Naman Dhir up the batting order to inject intent ⁠early, while England all-rounder Will Jacks may offer better balance in place of ‌Mitchell Santner.Mumbai next faces Punjab Kings on Thursday, while third-placed RCB meets Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday. Published on Apr 13, 2026</div> #IPL #lot #rethink #Hardik #Pandya #suffers #consecutive #defeat

TOSS

England has won the toss and opts to bowl first.

Three debuts handed out today: N Shree Charani (IND); Mady Villiers and Alice Capsey (ENG)

Playing XIs

India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Harmnpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah odrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Rana, N Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud

England: Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver Brunt, Alice Capsey, Amy Jones, Mady Villiers Ecclestone, Issy Wong, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell

Preview

This Test brings together the founding nation of the sport and its most formidable force. India has a brilliant record against England in Tests. In 16 encounters, India has three wins and a solitary loss, while the others were all drawn. Their most recent clash was at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai in 2023. India marched to a massive 347-run triumph then. England’s last win against India came in 1995.

Red-ball fixtures are few and far between in the women’s game. England and Australia are the ecosystem’s most active participants. India has been an enthusiastic follower, with South Africa too slowly hopping on board. The costs of staging Tests make this a tier too high for everyone else. Even a board like New Zealand, one of the game’s old powers, has been vocal about its disinterest in the format for women.

So, how this Test, staged on one of the game’s grandest stages, slots into cricket’s rhetoric, and whether larger questions about the format’s relevance in the women’s game will be answered, are things to watch.

But this Lord’s Test will be what it has been fashioned to be: historic. It is another major cultural and societal barrier broken. With record audiences expected and two hurting sides looking to sign off from a challenging international summer on a high, it remains to be seen whether this spectacle can prove to be the catalyst the ecosystem’s red-ball ambitions are crying out for.

SQUADS

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (Capt.), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Varma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Harleen Deol, Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare and Priya Punia.

England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (Capt.), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Grace Potts, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers and Issy Wong.

Published on Jul 11, 2026

#IND #ENG #Womens #Test #live #score #Day #England #trails #Jones #SciverBrunt #rebuild">

IND vs ENG Women’s Test, live score Day 2: England 97/4, trails by 188; Jones, Sciver-Brunt rebuild TOSSEngland has won the toss and opts to bowl first.Three debuts handed out today: N Shree Charani (IND); Mady Villiers and Alice Capsey (ENG)Playing XIsIndia: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Harmnpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah odrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Rana, N Shree Charani, Kranti GaudEngland: Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver Brunt, Alice Capsey, Amy Jones, Mady Villiers Ecclestone, Issy Wong, Lauren Filer, Lauren BellPreviewThis Test brings together the founding nation of the sport and its most formidable force. India has a brilliant record against England in Tests. In 16 encounters, India has three wins and a solitary loss, while the others were all drawn. Their most recent clash was at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai in 2023. India marched to a massive 347-run triumph then. England’s last win against India came in 1995.Red-ball fixtures are few and far between in the women’s game. England and Australia are the ecosystem’s most active participants. India has been an enthusiastic follower, with South Africa too slowly hopping on board. The costs of staging Tests make this a tier too high for everyone else. Even a board like New Zealand, one of the game’s old powers, has been vocal about its disinterest in the format for women.So, how this Test, staged on one of the game’s grandest stages, slots into cricket’s rhetoric, and whether larger questions about the format’s relevance in the women’s game will be answered, are things to watch.But this Lord’s Test will be what it has been fashioned to be: historic. It is another major cultural and societal barrier broken. With record audiences expected and two hurting sides looking to sign off from a challenging international summer on a high, it remains to be seen whether this spectacle can prove to be the catalyst the ecosystem’s red-ball ambitions are crying out for.SQUADSIndia: Harmanpreet Kaur (Capt.), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Varma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Harleen Deol, Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare and Priya Punia.England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (Capt.), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Grace Potts, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers and Issy Wong.Published on Jul 11, 2026 #IND #ENG #Womens #Test #live #score #Day #England #trails #Jones #SciverBrunt #rebuild

mwasimuddin125 0

TOSS
England has won the toss and opts to bowl first.
Three debuts handed out today: N Shree Charani (IND); Mady Villiers and Alice Capsey (ENG)
Playing XIs
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Harmnpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah odrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Rana, N Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud
England: Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver Brunt, Alice Capsey, Amy Jones, Mady Villiers Ecclestone, Issy Wong, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell
Preview
This Test brings together the founding nation of the sport and its most formidable force. India has a brilliant record against England in Tests. In 16 encounters, India has three wins and a solitary loss, while the others were all drawn. Their most recent clash was at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai in 2023. India marched to a massive 347-run triumph then. England’s last win against India came in 1995.
Red-ball fixtures are few and far between in the women’s game. England and Australia are the ecosystem’s most active participants. India has been an enthusiastic follower, with South Africa too slowly hopping on board. The costs of staging Tests make this a tier too high for everyone else. Even a board like New Zealand, one of the game’s old powers, has been vocal about its disinterest in the format for women.
So, how this Test, staged on one of the game’s grandest stages, slots into cricket’s rhetoric, and whether larger questions about the format’s relevance in the women’s game will be answered, are things to watch.
But this Lord’s Test will be what it has been fashioned to be: historic. It is another major cultural and societal barrier broken. With record audiences expected and two hurting sides looking to sign off from a challenging international summer on a high, it remains to be seen whether this spectacle can prove to be the catalyst the ecosystem’s red-ball ambitions are crying out for.
SQUADS
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (Capt.), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Varma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Harleen Deol, Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare and Priya Punia.
England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (Capt.), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Grace Potts, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers and Issy Wong.
Published on Jul 11, 2026

#IND #ENG #Womens #Test #live #score #Day #England #trails #Jones #SciverBrunt #rebuild">IND vs ENG Women’s Test, live score Day 2: England 97/4, trails by 188; Jones, Sciver-Brunt rebuild

TOSS

England has won the toss and opts to bowl first.

Three debuts handed out today: N Shree Charani (IND); Mady Villiers and Alice Capsey (ENG)

Playing XIs

India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Harmnpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah odrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Rana, N Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud

England: Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver Brunt, Alice Capsey, Amy Jones, Mady Villiers Ecclestone, Issy Wong, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell

Preview

SQUADS

Published on Jul 11, 2026

#IND #ENG #Womens #Test #live #score #Day #England #trails #Jones #SciverBrunt #rebuild

Deadspin | Nneka Ogwumike’s big night lifts Sparks over Sky Jul 10, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike (30) looks to pass against Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud (9) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images Nneka Ogwumike scored a season-high 25 points and collected 12 rebounds and five assists to lead the Los Angeles Sparks to a 102-87 victory over the visiting Chicago Sky on Friday night. All three of Ogwumike’s 3-pointers came in the fourth quarter as Los Angeles recorded its second straight victory. The Sparks made 11 of 15 shots in the final quarter, including 4 of 5 from behind the arc. Dearica Hamby added 17 points and seven rebounds, Ariel Atkins had 17 points and six assists and Rae Burrell made four 3-pointers while also scoring 17 for the Sparks (10-11). Erica Wheeler had 15 points and eight assists for Los Angeles, which outscored the Sky 29-17 in the fourth quarter. Kamilla Cardoso (eight rebounds), Sydney Taylor and reserve Gabriela Jaquez scored 15 points apiece for Chicago (7-15). Azura Stevens registered 10 points and eight rebounds and backup Jacy Sheldon added 10 points for the Sky. Skylar Diggins (right knee) missed her second straight game for the Sky, who connected on 43.7% of their attempts, including a lowly 6 of 25 from behind the arc. Los Angeles made 51.3% of its shots and hit 14 of 31 from 3-point range while continuing to play without Kelsey Plum (lower left leg). Ogwumike buried a 3-pointer to give Los Angeles an 80-72 lead with 7:46 left in the contest. Burrell hit a 3-pointer 45 seconds later and the Sparks led by nine. A short time later, Ogwumike canned another 3-pointer and Hamby converted a layup as Los Angeles led 90-80 with 4:32 remaining. Chicago crept within six before Burrell scored on a layup and Ogwumike sank another trey to make it 95-84 lead with 2:29 left as the Sparks closed it out. Chicago trailed by five at halftime before starting the third quarter with a 13-5 run. A three-point play by Cardoso and a trey by Taylor capped it to give the Sky a 61-58 lead. Los Angeles answered with an 11-3 burst. Emma Cannon sank a 3-pointer and Ogwumike made two free throws to end it as the Sparks took a 69-64 lead with 3:10 left. Cannon scored another basket with just under a minute left as the Sparks led 73-70 entering the fourth quarter. Wheeler scored 15 points in the first half as the Sparks held a 53-48 advantage. Sheldon scored 10 in the half for Chicago. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nneka #Ogwumikes #big #night #lifts #Sparks #Sky

#Deadspin #Nneka #Ogwumikes #big #night #lifts #Sparks #Sky">

mwasimuddin125 0

Jul 10, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike (30) looks to pass against Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud (9) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Nneka Ogwumike scored a season-high 25 points and collected 12 rebounds and five assists to lead the Los Angeles Sparks to a 102-87 victory over the visiting Chicago Sky on Friday night.

All three of Ogwumike’s 3-pointers came in the fourth quarter as Los Angeles recorded its second straight victory. The Sparks made 11 of 15 shots in the final quarter, including 4 of 5 from behind the arc.

Dearica Hamby added 17 points and seven rebounds, Ariel Atkins had 17 points and six assists and Rae Burrell made four 3-pointers while also scoring 17 for the Sparks (10-11).

Erica Wheeler had 15 points and eight assists for Los Angeles, which outscored the Sky 29-17 in the fourth quarter.

Kamilla Cardoso (eight rebounds), Sydney Taylor and reserve Gabriela Jaquez scored 15 points apiece for Chicago (7-15).

Azura Stevens registered 10 points and eight rebounds and backup Jacy Sheldon added 10 points for the Sky.

Skylar Diggins (right knee) missed her second straight game for the Sky, who connected on 43.7% of their attempts, including a lowly 6 of 25 from behind the arc.

Los Angeles made 51.3% of its shots and hit 14 of 31 from 3-point range while continuing to play without Kelsey Plum (lower left leg).

Ogwumike buried a 3-pointer to give Los Angeles an 80-72 lead with 7:46 left in the contest. Burrell hit a 3-pointer 45 seconds later and the Sparks led by nine.

A short time later, Ogwumike canned another 3-pointer and Hamby converted a layup as Los Angeles led 90-80 with 4:32 remaining.

Chicago crept within six before Burrell scored on a layup and Ogwumike sank another trey to make it 95-84 lead with 2:29 left as the Sparks closed it out.

Chicago trailed by five at halftime before starting the third quarter with a 13-5 run. A three-point play by Cardoso and a trey by Taylor capped it to give the Sky a 61-58 lead.

Los Angeles answered with an 11-3 burst. Emma Cannon sank a 3-pointer and Ogwumike made two free throws to end it as the Sparks took a 69-64 lead with 3:10 left.

Cannon scored another basket with just under a minute left as the Sparks led 73-70 entering the fourth quarter.

Wheeler scored 15 points in the first half as the Sparks held a 53-48 advantage. Sheldon scored 10 in the half for Chicago.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nneka #Ogwumikes #big #night #lifts #Sparks #Sky">Deadspin | Nneka Ogwumike’s big night lifts Sparks over Sky

Jul 10, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike (30) looks to pass against Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud (9) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Nneka Ogwumike scored a season-high 25 points and collected 12 rebounds and five assists to lead the Los Angeles Sparks to a 102-87 victory over the visiting Chicago Sky on Friday night.

All three of Ogwumike’s 3-pointers came in the fourth quarter as Los Angeles recorded its second straight victory. The Sparks made 11 of 15 shots in the final quarter, including 4 of 5 from behind the arc.

Dearica Hamby added 17 points and seven rebounds, Ariel Atkins had 17 points and six assists and Rae Burrell made four 3-pointers while also scoring 17 for the Sparks (10-11).

Erica Wheeler had 15 points and eight assists for Los Angeles, which outscored the Sky 29-17 in the fourth quarter.

Kamilla Cardoso (eight rebounds), Sydney Taylor and reserve Gabriela Jaquez scored 15 points apiece for Chicago (7-15).

Azura Stevens registered 10 points and eight rebounds and backup Jacy Sheldon added 10 points for the Sky.

Skylar Diggins (right knee) missed her second straight game for the Sky, who connected on 43.7% of their attempts, including a lowly 6 of 25 from behind the arc.

Los Angeles made 51.3% of its shots and hit 14 of 31 from 3-point range while continuing to play without Kelsey Plum (lower left leg).

Ogwumike buried a 3-pointer to give Los Angeles an 80-72 lead with 7:46 left in the contest. Burrell hit a 3-pointer 45 seconds later and the Sparks led by nine.

A short time later, Ogwumike canned another 3-pointer and Hamby converted a layup as Los Angeles led 90-80 with 4:32 remaining.

Chicago crept within six before Burrell scored on a layup and Ogwumike sank another trey to make it 95-84 lead with 2:29 left as the Sparks closed it out.

Chicago trailed by five at halftime before starting the third quarter with a 13-5 run. A three-point play by Cardoso and a trey by Taylor capped it to give the Sky a 61-58 lead.

Los Angeles answered with an 11-3 burst. Emma Cannon sank a 3-pointer and Ogwumike made two free throws to end it as the Sparks took a 69-64 lead with 3:10 left.

Cannon scored another basket with just under a minute left as the Sparks led 73-70 entering the fourth quarter.

Wheeler scored 15 points in the first half as the Sparks held a 53-48 advantage. Sheldon scored 10 in the half for Chicago.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nneka #Ogwumikes #big #night #lifts #Sparks #Sky