Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Sparks overcame a slow start to pull away from the Phoenix Mercury in the fourth quarter and win, 79-66, in the first game of the WNBA playoff semifinals Tuesday.
Nneka Ogwumike led the way for the defending champion Sparks with 19 points, as the rest of the starting five also scored in double figures, including Candace Parker’s 15 points and Chelsea Gray’s 13.
The game was a start-and-stop affair where officials made 46 foul calls and assessed three technical fouls, all on the Mercury. Center Brittney Griner, who had 18 points for the visitors, and Camille Little, who grabbed 11 rebounds, fouled out of the game, as did reserve Emma Cannon. Leilani Mitchell scored 19 points.
After going into the halftime break tied at 42, Los Angeles outscored their opponents in the third quarter, 14-6. They carried that momentum into the final period to seal the win.
Game two of the series tips off Thursday night at Cal State Long Beach.
Brittney Griner goes against Nneka Ogwumike in the paint. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Leilani Mitchell scores two of her team-high 19 points. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Nneka Ogwumike snags the rebound. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Brittney Griner scores two of her 18 points on the night. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Diana Taurasi scores over Jantel Lavender. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Essence Carson goes up to score. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Chelsea Gray initiates the play. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Candace Parker looks to pass. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Brittney Griner loses control of the ball. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Chelsea Gray scores 13 points and dished six assists against Phoenix. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Chelsea Gray drives past Yvonne Turner. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Nneka Ogwumike tries to get past the defense of Brittney Griner. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Emma Cannon grabs control of the loose ball. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Candace Parker fights around a screen. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Leilani Mitchell and Odyssey Sims fight for ball control. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Alana Beard launches a shot over Diana Taurasi. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Chelsea Gray drives to the basket as she is fouled by Leilani Mitchell. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Nneka Ogwumike scores. Photo by Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
Nneka Ogwumike is fouled at the hoop. Photo by Benita West/TGSportsTV1.
