The LA Sparks beat the Portland Fire 89-72, snapping a three-game losing streak behind a dominant paint performance.
Portland double-teamed Sparks guard Kelsey Plum all night, keeping the WNBA's leading scorer without a single shot attempt in the first half. But Plum's teammates turned that extra attention into open looks and second chances the Fire couldn't contain.
Plum, Sparks Take Advantage of Portland Fire Game Plan
With Portland's defense locked on the four time All-Star, the rest of the floor opened up for the Sparks. Plum recognized a four-on-three advantage and pushed her teammates to attack the gaps.
Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby took over from there.
Ogwumike finished with 20 points and a season-high 17 rebounds. Hamby led all scorers with 22 points and added 12 rebounds, matching her career high with six offensive boards. Together, the two pulled down 12 offensive rebounds.
According to Sparks PR, the pair tied a WNBA record for two teammates each recording at least six offensive boards in a single game.
Meanwhile, Plum stayed patient through the first half, subsequently finding her rhythm after the break.
Recently returned from a right ankle injury, she finished with 16 points on 50% shooting, seven assists, and six rebounds. Her nine third-quarter points sparked a 14-4 Sparks run.
Inside Portland's 3rd-Quarter Collapse vs Sparks
That lead came after miscommunication within the Fire's defense.
Portland committed nine of its 15 turnovers in the second half and shot just 5-for-14 in the third quarter. The 12-point quarter marked the 2026 WNBA expansion team's lowest-scoring period of the season.
But Fire center Megan Gustafson remained a highlight for Portland, tallying 16 points and a season-high 12 rebounds for her first double-double since 2023.
Teammates Carla Leite and Emily Engstler each added 10 points. However, neither player could stifle Plum and the Sparks' second-half momentum.
LA Sparks Rebounding Strategy Controls the Floor
LA currently ranks near the bottom of the league in rebounding. Still, Sunday showed what the Sparks are capable of when they commit to crashing the boards.
Hamby credited intentional spacing and aggressive effort for the turnaround.
Ogwumike, meanwhile, hit two milestones in the win. She recorded her 120th career double-double and passed LA legend Lisa Leslie for the most two-point field goals in Sparks franchise history.
