Portland FirevsLos Angeles Sparks
POR 72/LA 89
Things to say
Los Angeles Sparks beat the Portland Fire 89-72 at crypto.com Arena.
01
Sparks handled Portland 89-72 at Crypto. Wasn't really close in the second half. LA just had way more buckets in the paint.
02
key player
Hamby was a problem all night. 22 and looked like she could get to her spot whenever she wanted.
03
hot take
Portland is gonna keep taking Ls until somebody not named Gustafson shows up. One scorer ain't enough.
04
deep cut
Nneka pulled down 17 boards. Seventeen. Fire couldn't get a second-chance look all night.
05
exit
Anyway, we'll see if Plum can keep cooking next time out.
The recap
Sparks ran Portland out of Crypto, 89-72, and it wasn't really close down the stretch. Dearica Hamby was the engine with 22 and Nneka Ogwumike absolutely ate them up on the glass with 17 boards, while Plum ran the show and dished seven dimes.
Portland just couldn't buy a bucket — Gustafson did her thing with a 16-and-11 double-double but got zero help around her. LA pulled away in the second half and the Fire never had an answer, took the L on the road.