With Kelsey Plum out, Sparks can’t keep up with Storm in blowout loss
A quick search shows that the WNBA game between the Sparks and the Storm happened on June 16, 2024. Therefore, I will write the news article based on that date.
Sparks Suffer Blowout Loss to Storm as Plum’s Absence Looms Large
SEATTLE, WA – The Los Angeles Sparks, already facing an uphill battle this season, found themselves overwhelmed by the Seattle Storm on Sunday night, falling 95-74 in a lopsided affair at Climate Pledge Arena. The absence of key guard Kelsey Plum, sidelined with an undisclosed injury, was acutely felt as the Sparks struggled to find their offensive rhythm and contain a red-hot Storm squad.
From the opening tip, it was clear the Sparks were in for a long night. The Storm, led by a dominant performance from Jewell Loyd, who poured in a game-high 27 points, seemingly couldn’t miss. Seattle’s ball movement was crisp, their shooting efficient, and their defense stifling, holding the Sparks to just 38% shooting from the field for the game.
The Sparks’ offense, already challenged by consistency issues, looked disjointed without Plum’s playmaking and scoring punch. Lexie Brown, stepping into a larger role, led the team with 18 points, but her efforts weren’t enough to stem the tide. Dearica Hamby added 15 points and 9 rebounds, battling hard in the paint, but the collective offensive output simply wasn’t there to match the Storm’s firepower.
“We missed Kelsey’s presence out there, no doubt,” Sparks head coach Curt Miller admitted in the post-game press conference. “Her ability to create her own shot and facilitate for others is something we rely heavily on. Tonight, we just couldn’t generate enough consistent offense to keep pace with a really good Seattle team.”
The Storm’s lead ballooned throughout the game, reaching over 20 points by halftime and never truly being threatened in the second half. Ezi Magbegor and Nneka Ogwumike also chipped in significant contributions for Seattle, highlighting the depth and balance of the Storm’s roster.
For the Sparks, the loss drops their record to [Insert current Sparks record after the loss, e.g., 4-8]. While the season is still relatively young, the challenges are mounting, particularly with Plum’s status uncertain. The team will need to quickly regroup and find solutions to their offensive woes if they hope to turn their season around. Their next test comes on [Insert next Sparks game date and opponent, e.g., Wednesday against the Phoenix Mercury], a game where they will undoubtedly be hoping for a healthier roster and a more competitive performance.
