News / Sports / National Sports

Loyd helps lead Storm to 72-61 win over Sparks

Scores 25 points, reaches two milestones in Seattle's victory

By The Associated Press

Published: August 31, 2023, 10:00pm

LOS ANGELES — Jewell Loyd had 25 points to lead the Seattle Storm to a 72-61 win over Los Angeles on Thursday night, dealing a setback to the Sparks playoff hopes.

Los Angeles (15-21) dropped into a tie with Chicago for the final playoff spot but the Sky hold the tiebreaker by winning the season series 3-1.

Loyd joined A’ja Wilson of Las Vegas and Breanna Stewart of New York in reaching the 800-point milestone this season. Jewell also surpassed 900 career assists.

Sami Whitcomb added 14 points for the Storm (11-15), who ended a three-game losing streak.

Nneka Ogwumike scored 11 points and Karlie Samuelson and Rae Burrell had 10 apiece for the Sparks, who shot 30% (20 of 66) and were outscored by 10 at the foul line. Jordin Canada had two steals, giving her multiple steals in 12-straight games, the longest such streak in 10 years.

Seattle took a 22-12 lead in the first quarter and led 38-29 at the break.

Los Angeles got within five early in the third quarter but the Storm pushed the lead back to 12 late before Burrell hit a 3-pointer and Zia Cooke scored two free throws to pull the Sparks within 52-44 entering the fourth quarter.

Burrell’s 3-pointer cut the deficit to 57-56 but Loyd scored the next five points and nine-straight Seattle points to end the challenge.

STORM 72, SPARKS 61

SEATTLE (72) — Horston 3-6 3-4 9, Magbegor 2-5 2-2 6, Fankam Mendjiadeu 1-3 1-2 3, Loyd 6-20 12-12 25, Whitcomb 4-13 4-4 14, Holmes 1-2 0-0 2, Russell 2-2 0-0 4, Melbourne 0-0 0-0 0, Nurse 2-3 3-4 9. Totals 21-54 25-28 72.

LOS ANGELES (61) — N.Ogwumike 4-10 2-2 11, Thomas 0-6 0-0 0, Stevens 4-11 0-0 8, Canada 2-9 4-4 8, Kar.Samuelson 4-7 0-0 10, Hamby 1-4 3-4 6, Burrell 4-7 0-0 10, Cooke 1-10 6-6 8, Westbrook 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 20-66 15-16 61.

Seattle	22	16	14	20	—	72
Los Angeles	12	17	15	17	—	61

3-Point Goals—Seattle 5-23 (Nurse 2-3, Whitcomb 2-7, Loyd 1-9, Holmes 0-1, Horston 0-1, Magbegor 0-2), Los Angeles 6-21 (Burrell 2-3, Kar.Samuelson 2-4, Hamby 1-1, N.Ogwumike 1-1, Westbrook 0-1, Thomas 0-3, Cooke 0-4, Stevens 0-4). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Seattle 45 (Horston, Magbegor 8), Los Angeles 26 (N.Ogwumike 7). Assists—Seattle 14 (Loyd 7), Los Angeles 17 (Canada 4). Total Fouls—Seattle 19, Los Angeles 18. A—6,101

STORM 72, SPARKS 61

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