LOS ANGELES \u2014 With the season on the line, the Sparks started the fourth quarter on a 16-0 run to secure a 91-77 victory over the Dallas Wings at Crypto.com Arena Sunday, to avoid being eliminated from playoff contention for a fifth straight season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re on that playoff run, so just knowing that it\u2019s very important each game,\u201d Sparks guard\/forward Rae Burrell said, who scored 13 points in the fourth quarter. \u201cSo just making sure that we play as hard as we can and come with the urgency that we need to come with.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Sparks, who had six players in double figures in the scoring column, improved to 20-22 and were led by guard Julie Allemand with a career-high 21 points, five steals, four assists. Allemand made all eight of her shots from the field, including three 3-pointers and did not turn over the ball in 35 minutes of play.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we stayed strong defensively,\u201d Allemand said. \u201cWe got some steals, and then we were just running and playing as a team. And when we play like that, I think that we\u2019re unstoppable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dearica Hamby scored 15 points. Burrell scored 13 points and had three steals. Azur\u00e1 Stevens had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, including 11 points and seven rebounds in the first half. All-Star Kelsey Plum had 12 points. Rickea Jackson scored 11 points, including seven in the first quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat should be a confidence booster,\u201d Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. \u201cOther than the start of the third quarter, I thought we did a good job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Sparks coach Lynne Roberts, forward Azura Stevens and guard Julie Allemand on the team\u2019s fourth quarter surge to beat the Dallas Wings 91-77. The Sparks improved to 20-22 and remain alive for the league final playoff spot with two games left in the regular season. pic.twitter.com\/7RpKJ4S7UL<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) September 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Dallas (9-34) was led by All-Star rookie guard Paige Bueckers with 18 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen had a double-double with 15 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Maddy Siegrist added 13 points.<\/p>\n The Sparks, who won, swept the season series against the Wings, led 42-33 at halftime.<\/p>\n Dallas went on a 13-4 run and tied the game at 46-all on a driving layup by Bueckers with 7:29 left in the third quarter. A corner 3-pointer by Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen put the road team up 55-54 with 4:26 left in the third.<\/p>\n \u201cAt this point, it\u2019s up to the players to play with the urgency needed,\u201d Roberts said before the game. \u201cI\u2019ll do the best job I can to put them in position to be successful on both sides of the ball, but in the 42nd game, they know what they need to do.\u201d<\/p>\n The Sparks responded with six consecutive points, including layups by Cameron Brink, Jackson, and Allemand, to lead 60-55 with 1:41 remaining in the third.<\/p>\n \u201cJulie was unbelievable,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cTruly unbelievable, kind of willed us to this.\u201d<\/p>\n Dallas forward Amy Okonkwo\u2019s 3-pointer put the Wings up 64-63 with 8.9 seconds remaining in the third. However, Allemand\u2019s buzzer-beating 3-pointer gave the Sparks a 66-64 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n The Sparks surged ahead in the fourth quarter, highlighted by consecutive three-point plays from Hamby and Burrell, which put the Sparks up 75-64 with 8:38 left in the game.<\/p>\n \u201cDefensively, I think Rae was all over the place,\u201d Stevens said. \u201cShe flew into the side. She just brought so much energy, and it really fueled offense.\u201d<\/p>\n Burrell\u2019s fast break layup, which she nearly dunked, and subsequent 3-pointer made it 80-64. Allemand\u2019s layup pushed it to 82-64 with 5:43 left in the game.<\/p>\n \u201cI am happy that I was able to get my team going and be part of the momentum shift because I know that we needed it,\u201d said Burrell, who scored eight straight points in the fourth.<\/p>\n Rae Burrell on nearly DUNKING on the fast break against the Dallas Wings during a 16-0 4th quarter run to keep Sparks in playoff contention with two games left in the regular season. <\/p>\n Burrell scored 13 points off the bench in the 4th quarter. #basketball<\/a> #wnba<\/a> #lasparks<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9asJYdUvjz<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) September 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n With Sunday afternoon\u2019s 94-65 playoff-clinching win by the Indiana Fever over the Washington Mystics, which improved their record to 23-20, the Sparks need the Seattle Storm, who are 22-21, to lose at home to the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday to remain alive in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not out of it,\u201d Roberts continued. \u201cWe have to control what we can control.\u201d<\/p>\n If Seattle loses, the Sparks, who own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Storm, must win their final two games against Phoenix (Tuesday) and Las Vegas (Thursday) (and get help) if they want to make the playoffs for the first time in five seasons.<\/p>\n The Sparks were 8-32 last season before Roberts was hired.<\/p>\n \u201cComing into this season, the goal was to the process of getting this organization back where it belongs and making the culture what we want, win as many games as possible and we\u2019ve done those things,\u201d Roberts explained. \u201cWe weren\u2019t shy about saying we wanted to get to the playoffs, but I\u2019m still proud of the whole body of work. Do we have a ways to go before we can talk about cutting down the nets, absolutely, but I remember hearing as a young assistant (coach), for sustainable success, you can\u2019t take the elevator, you have to take the stairs.\u201d<\/p>\n Bueckers came into the contest less than three weeks off her career-high of 44 points against the Sparks on Aug. 20. Coach Koclanes said he wanted his All-Star starter to finish her rookie season with confidence.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the ultimate confidence and in the way that she always does,\u201d Dallas Wings first-year coach Chris Koclanes said before the game. \u201cAnd that\u2019s what makes her special is her consistent approach every single game, regardless of who the opponent is.\u201d<\/p>\n The Sparks led 21-14 at the end of the first quarter and 42-33 at halftime. Stevens had 11 points in the first half.<\/p>\n \u201cI know I\u2019m a big part of this team, like everybody is, but I know when I come out aggressive, even if I\u2019m not making shots, it still puts pressure on the defense,\u201d Stevens shared.<\/p>\n Bueckers, who was held scoreless in the first quarter, had eight points in the second quarter.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we play as a team, I really enjoy it,\u201d Allemand added.<\/p>\n UP NEXT<\/p>\n The Sparks will play at the Phoenix Mercury (27-15) on Tuesday. They will conclude the regular season by hosting the Las Vegas Aces at Crypto.com Arena Thursday.<\/p>\n PREGAME: LA Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts\u2019 pregame interview on the Sparks pushing for the playoffs with three games to go ahead of Sunday\u2019s pivotal home game against Dallas Wings, who are led by All-Star rookie Paige Bueckers. <\/p>\n Coach Roberts told me it\u2019s up to the players. pic.twitter.com\/vxcpCNAz55<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) September 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n PREGAME: Dallas Wings head coach Chris Koclanes\u2019 pregame interview before playing the Los Angeles Sparks for the fourth and final time during the 2025 WNBA season. <\/p>\n Coach Koclanes talked about Paige Bueckers\u2019 approach to playing against the Sparks defense after dropping a career\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/I8m7mehern<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) September 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Originally Published: September 7, 2025 at 5:28 PM PDT<\/p>\n