LOS ANGELES — Before Thursday night’s game, Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said she wanted her post players to match the physicality of Atlanta Dream All-Star Angel Reese.
“Pound for pound,” Roberts said. “Let’s match it. Don’t get punked. Bring the heat right back.”
However, the Sparks did not heed Roberts’ message and suffered a 124-88 blowout loss at Crypto.com Arena, officially extinguishing their slim playoff hopes with eight games left in the regular season. The Sparks were doomed by Reese’s near triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists) and Atlanta’s sizzling shooting – 63.9% from the field (46 for 72) and 61.5% from 3-point range (16 for 26).
“Every time we put on the jersey, we want to try to win,” Roberts said after they lost their sixth game in a row and 13th in their past 15. “I think what can be gained is a lot. Eight games left, we’re not just going to roll the ball out and flip a coin and hope for the best. We’ve got to coach our asses off, players gotta keep showing up the way they have, come up with game plans, tweaks, adjustments, trying to figure out what works. A lot can be achieved in eight games, and we’re going to keep chopping wood and we’re not ever going to quit.”
Sparks forward Cameron Brink scored a team-high 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Rae Burrell had 12 points, and Nneka Ogwumike scored 11 in her first game since she announced her intention to retire from the WNBA at the end of the season.
Rookie guards Tonie Morgan, a former developmental player who signed a standard contract recently, and Chance Gray, the team’s second-round draft pick, both added eight points each.
“Getting down hill really opens up the 3-point shot for your teammates,” Morgan said. “Opens up pocket passes. Being able to make decisions in tight spaces helped. Teams are still adjusting, being a quick guard, it’s really hard to guard. Just being able to make the right read every time, be a playmaker is really the main goal.”
The Sparks (12-24) only led the game once on a nifty layup by forward Dearica Hamby. Atlanta, which was led by All-Star guard Rhyne Howard’s 26 points, held a 34-12 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back, maintaining a 62-41 cushion at halftime.
“There’s some positives, but we’ve got to be better starting the games,” Roberts explained. “But again, I don’t know if anybody could have beaten Atlanta the way they played (Thursday night).”
Reese scored 18 of her 20 points in the first half on 8-of-8 shooting, including two 3-pointers. Naz Hillmon (14 points), Allisha Gray (13) and Madina Okot (12) all scored in double figures for Atlanta (23-13), which extended its advantage to 94-62 by the end of the third quarter.
Thursday’s game, the day after Ogwumike announced her retirement plan, was not enough to galvanize the home team. The Sparks found themselves in a familiar position, trailing by as many as 42 points in late in the fourth quarter.
FEELING THE LOVE
Ogwumike, 36, said she appreciates the overwhelming amount of well wishes after she made her announcement public on Wednesday morning.
“It really kind of puts into perspective how many people are a part of the journey,” Ogwumike said. “I’m very grateful to in some small way have reconnected with those people and in the next few weeks, maybe in the next year, be able to see everybody again too.”
Nneka Ogwumike’s full news conference on her announcement that she’s retiring from the WNBA at the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/wGsr0ULRgm
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 21, 2026
Reese, a three-time All-Star already at 24 years old, said she’s happy for Ogwumike, an 11-time All-Star, but she’s sad to see her go.
“She’s poured into me since I’ve been in the league,” Reese said. “She’s one of my first vets. I remember by first All-Star (Game) she was there with me in Phoenix. Being able to talk to me and being there for me as a person, more than a player, has been great.”
Roberts said she knew Ogwumike’s retirement announcement was coming, and she’s thrilled that she was able to reveal it the way she wanted.
“I really want to finish the season the right way for her,” Roberts said, “and make sure that her legacy is not just remembered for what she did off the court but on the court, being one of the best players ever.”
Ogwumike’s announcement caught Atlanta coach Karl Smesko by surprise.
“I was a little surprised because she’s still playing at an All-Star level,” Smesko said. “I’m trying to think of how many players retired when they were still playing at an All-Star level and the career that she’s had from MVP to 11 All-Star appearances. You think about being one of the all-time great players in the league and then how much she’s meant to the players’ union on the other side of it. It’s just an incredible, remarkable career that she’s had. She’s entitled to make the decisions that are best for her, but she can still play at a really high level.”
HOW TO HANDLE HOMESTRETCH?
At Thursday morning’s shootaround, Roberts said she is focused on the process and on playing the right way with a handful of games remaining in the regular season.
“Ownership wants to see the bench play,” Roberts said. “They want to see what we have and that’s pro sports at this point of the season. That’s intentionality there and it’s a great opportunity for these guys to get out there and play.”
The Sparks are 5½ games ahead of the last-place Seattle Storm (7-30).
UP NEXT
The Sparks will host the Connecticut Sun (9-26) on Saturday at 6 p.m. The Sparks are 0-2 against Connecticut this season, losing both road matchups.
Angel Reese on Nneka Ogwumike’s retirement announcement and what Ogwumike personally means to her. pic.twitter.com/oRlxoWVQus
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 21, 2026
Erica Wheeler on Nneka Ogwumike retiring from the WNBA. pic.twitter.com/RY0r8HHPNj
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 21, 2026
Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko pregame media availability on Nneka Ogwumike retiring from the WNBA and how he wants to see Atlanta approach each game before the World Cup break. pic.twitter.com/5KZmiSAdzN
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 21, 2026