Sparks strive to get back in win column vs. Sun

The Los Angeles Sparks will look for a complete effort in a bid to halt their losing ways on Tuesday when they visit the Connecticut Sun in Boston.

The Sparks (12-22) saw a fourth-quarter lead go by the boards in an 80-70 setback to the Washington Mystics on Saturday. They were outscored 25-12 in the final stanza en route to losing their fourth consecutive contest and 11th in their last 13 games.

Los Angeles didn't do itself any favors by committing six turnovers and making just 3 of 12 shots in the fourth quarter.

"I felt like we were unlucky (and) rimmed out shots, and that happens sometimes," Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts said. "That's what I thought allowed them to get back in it. We had control of the game and we just didn't convert."

Rae Burrell followed up a career-best 28 points in the Sparks' 85-81 loss to the New York Liberty on Thursday with 20 points two nights later. She scored 16 points in Los Angeles' lone encounter with the Sun this season, an 84-81 setback on May 30 in Hartford, Conn.

Los Angeles on Saturday played without Cameron Brink (ribs), which opened the door for Emma Cannon to make an impact off the bench. Cannon recorded four points, four rebounds and one block in 11 minutes.

"Emma, she's invaluable for our team. Whether she plays or not, she's engaged on the bench. She's coaching, talking, leading, inspiring, all those things. And then she's ready when her number gets called," Roberts said. "She's played a lot of basketball, she's experienced. Those guys in those roles are more important than people realize, in terms of a team's chemistry and keeping a group together. Emma's done a phenomenal job of that."

The Sparks' loss to the Mystics officially eliminated the setting Sun (8-25) from playoff contention.

Connecticut lost for the seventh time in eight games earlier on Saturday.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa collected a career-high 21 points and added 10 rebounds in the Sun's 82-75 setback to the New York Liberty.

"It was really just a credit to the coaches and teammates that I had on the court with me," Nelson-Ododa said of her performance. "Obviously, without them, I wouldn't be able to get to this point. I just want to keep building on it. So, I'm happy, but hopefully there's more to come."

--Field Level Media