The Los Angeles Sparks are entering a critical phase in their playoff chase as they prepare to face the Seattle Storm on Monday night. With a current record of 18-20, the Sparks find themselves two games behind the Indiana Fever for the eighth and final playoff spot, with only six games remaining in the regular season. They also trail the Storm, who hold a 22-19 record, by 2.5 games.
The matchup takes on extra significance as the Sparks may be without rookie forward Rickea Jackson, who is listed as questionable due to a right lower leg injury. Jackson’s presence is crucial for the Sparks, especially as they aim to overcome recent challenges and secure their postseason position. The Storm, conversely, will look to capitalize on their strong form, having won five of their last six games.
Key Players and Recent Performances
In their last outing, the Sparks ended a two-game losing streak with a narrow 81-78 victory over the Washington Mystics. Forward Kelsey Plum played a pivotal role in that win, contributing 14 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter. “I just tried to be patient,” Plum stated after the game. “We’re taking it one game at a time. Seattle is a great team. Everybody at this point of the season is just looking for a win.”
The Storm have been formidable opponents, recently concluding a successful 4-1 road trip. They displayed resilience by overcoming a 21-point deficit to defeat the league-leading Minnesota Lynx 93-79, followed by a 79-69 victory against the Chicago Sky. Nneka Ogwumike led Seattle in the latter match with 20 points, moving her to second on the franchise’s single-season scoring list with 746 points. “We want to be able to show that we can bring that momentum,” Ogwumike commented, emphasizing the importance of their current performance leading into the playoffs.
Playoff Implications and Series Context
The Sparks currently hold a 2-1 advantage in the season series against the Storm, and a victory in this game would secure the head-to-head tiebreaker. This is not lost on Azura Stevens, who acknowledged the stakes following their recent win. “We know what’s at stake, but just trying to break it down to each possession matters,” she said. “Not getting too caught up in we have to win ‘X-amount’ of games. We know the circumstances, but all we can control is the next possession.”
The last encounter between these two teams was a thrilling double-overtime game on August 1, where the Sparks edged the Storm 108-106. As the teams prepare for their final meeting of the four-game series, the outcome could be decisive for both clubs in the playoff race. The Sparks will need to leverage their depth and the pressure from their frontcourt, particularly if Jackson is unable to play.
As the postseason approaches, both teams are aware that every game counts. The matchup promises to be intense, with the Sparks aiming to keep their playoff hopes alive against a Storm team looking to solidify its position.
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