LOS ANGELES — In true Sparks spirit, Los Angeles finally broke its winless streak in June.
Forward Cameron Brink, posting her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, was a linchpin of Friday night’s success. Her assertive play—wildly crashing the boards and altering shots with two blocks—demonstrated her fiery spirit.
Her performance was crucial in leading the Los Angeles Sparks (3-7) to an 81-72 victory over the Dallas Wings (3-6) at Crypto.com Arena on Friday night, a performance that surely made fans proud.
“The team, after the Minnesota game, responded with a bunch of individual and team pride,” said head coach Curt Miller in the postgame press conference. “Big credit to our players staying in attack mode and our post players to keep battling against a very strong physical team.”
Brink’s career game included a buzzer-beating layup before halftime that electrified the crowd, showcasing her ability to inspire and lead.
The Sparks’ bench was equally pivotal, collectively contributing 34 points. Guard Lexie Brown, leading the second unit, scored 16 points and displayed her sharpshooting ability by knocking down four 3-pointers. The defensive intensity and scoring prowess of center Li Yueru and guard Aari McDonald kept Los Angeles afloat when the starters struggled.
“The bench was huge, not only did they score, but they gave us energy,” said Miller.
Defensively, the Sparks set the tone early with aggression and tenacity, holding the Wings to 2-for-17 from beyond the arc. LA’s active hands in the passing lanes resulted in nine steals, showcasing a proactive defense rather than a reactive one.
Offensively, the Sparks seemingly transformed from their rough shooting night against the Minnesota Lynx on June 5. With 23 total assists against Dallas, Los Angeles’ ball movement was fluid, leading to a 47% shooting night from the field.
Instead of forcing ill-advised shots, the Sparks made extra passes, creating an offensive rhythm that was missing from previous games. The team will aim to replicate this aggressive energy heading into the next matchup, against the reigning WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces (5-3).
The Sparks will face the Aces at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday at 6 p.m.