The Los Angeles Sparks will be out to protect the eighth and final spot in the playoffs and end a two-game losing streak when they welcome the visiting Seattle Storm on Thursday.
Los Angeles (15-20) won six straight before dropping a pair of decisions: 83-68 at Connecticut on Sunday and 76-75 in the first of three straight home games Tuesday vs. Chicago.
The Sparks had three looks at a would-be, game-winning baskets in the final 10 seconds on Tuesday but Jordin Canada, Jasmine Thomas and Karlie Samuelson each missed their attempts.
The defeat marked a significant setback for Los Angeles, which is battling with Chicago for the final playoff spot. The loss trimmed the Sparks’ lead over the Sky to a half-game and gave Chicago the regular-season head-to-head advantage at 3-1.
Los Angeles also has the challenge of a three-game road swing to close the regular season, with Thursday’s visit from Seattle marking the Sparks’ penultimate home date of the campaign.
Seattle (10-25) has been eliminated from postseason contention after dropping its third consecutive game, 90-85 to Chicago on Sunday.
The Storm were outscored 22-10 in a fourth quarter that ended with Seattle running out the clock in the final 15 seconds.
WNBA-leading scorer Jewell Loyd posted 17 first half points for the Storm but went 0 of 7 from the floor in the second half. She finished with 19.
Loyd is putting up 24.2 points per game, yet the Storm’s 78.7 points per game as a team rank next to last in the league.
Los Angeles is not far ahead at 79.1 points per game, but the Sparks have held opponents to the WNBA’s second-lowest output at 80.3 points a game. Seattle is giving up 83.9 points a game.
