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
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
