Connecticut cuts a 22-point deficit to single digits late, but Los Angeles holds on for a 77-68 victory.
The Connecticut Sun’s late comeback effort came up short Saturday night, as the Los Angeles Sparks held on for a 77-68 victory at Crypto.com Arena.
Connecticut fell to 9-27 with the loss, while Los Angeles snapped a six-game losing streak. The Sun entered the fourth quarter facing a significant deficit, but a furious late push gave them a chance to steal the game before the Sparks ultimately closed it out.
Los Angeles controlled much of the game offensively, shooting 51 percent from the field and knocking down 8-of-18 attempts from three-point range. Rae Burrell led the Sparks with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, while Nneka Ogwumike contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The Sparks built their biggest advantage in the fourth quarter, stretching their lead to 22 points. Connecticut, however, refused to go quietly.
The Sun responded with a 13-0 run late in the fourth, cutting the deficit to single digits and putting pressure on Los Angeles. The Sparks went scoreless over the final 6:12 of the game, but Connecticut could not capitalize enough to complete the comeback.
Saniya Rivers paced Connecticut with 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and four steals. Kennedy Burke finished with 11 points, four rebounds, four steals and three blocks, providing a major defensive presence for the Sun.
The Sparks also dominated in transition, holding a 13-2 advantage in fast-break points. Their early offensive success helped create the cushion that Connecticut spent much of the second half trying to erase.
Despite the loss, the fourth-quarter response showed the Sun’s resilience. After trailing by more than 20, Connecticut continued to compete and gave itself an opportunity late in the game.
The defeat comes just days after the Sun defeated the Sparks 85-77 in their final game at TD Garden in Boston. That victory gave Connecticut the season-series win, but Los Angeles earned the final word in Saturday’s rematch.
Connecticut will now return home for a matchup with the Chicago Sky on Tuesday, Aug. 25, looking to get back into the win column.
