Postgame Notes: Dream vs. Sparks
WNBA Los Angeles Sparks

Postgame Notes: Dream vs. Sparks

Published on August 21, 2026 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release


Game Leaders:

Sparks

PTS - Cameron Brink (14) REB - Cameron Brink (7) AST - Nneka Ogwumike (5)

Dream

PTS - Rhyne Howard (26) REB - Angel Reese (10) AST - Jordin Canada (11)

Key Takeaways:

Cameron Brink tallied both a team-high 14 points and team-high seven rebounds alongside four assists and one rebound

Nneka Ogwumike recorded a team-high five assists in addition to her 11 points (3-for-3 FT) and six rebounds

Erica Wheeler scored eight points (2-for-3 FG, 2-for-2 FT), completing all her attempts from beyond the arc (2-for-2)

Monique Akoa Makani played her first game at the Crypto.com Arena as a Los Angeles Spark, tallying three points and two assists

Every Spark that checked into the competition contributed at least two points with three Sparks scoring in double figures: Cameron Brink (14), Rae Burrell (12) and Nneka Ogwumike (11)

First Quarter:

Hamby opened up the scoring for the competition with her layup at the 9:23 mark

Atlanta went on a 26-7 run from the 8:18 to the 1:30 mark to make the score 28-9, Dream's advantage

Ogwumike led with a game-high-tying three rebounds in the opening quarter

The first quarter of play featured one lead change and one tie

Second Quarter:

The Sparks opened scoring for the second quarter with two free throws from Erica Wheeler followed by a jump shot from Ogwumike to cut the Sparks'deficit, 34 -16

Atlanta went on a 13-3 scoring run from the 8:02 to the 6:21 mark to make the score 47- 21, Dream's advantage

In less than seven minutes of play, Ariel Atkins scored a team-high seven points (2-for-3 FG, 1-for-2 3PT, 2-for-2 FT) in the second quarter alongside and one block

Los Angeles shot 58.8% (10-for-17) from the field and 75.0% (3-for-4) from beyond the arc in the first half of play

Third Quarter:

Ogwumike opened scoring for the second half with two free throws to make the score 62- 43, Atlanta's advantage

Burrell scored seven straight points for the Sparks, capped off with her three-pointer at the 5:53 mark. The guard-forward's seven points were a team-high for the quarter

Ogwumike 's two assists and two rebounds were a team -high for the quarter

Brink completed a game-high two made-three pointers in the quarter

Fourth Quarter:

Burrell opened scoring for the final quarter with a layup at the 9:37 mark to make the score 94- 64, Dream's advantage

The team shot 58.3% (7-for-12) from the field and 76.9% (10-for-13) on free throws

Brink scored a game-high 14 points (3-for-6 3PT, 5-for-6 FT) in the second half, along with a game-high-tying five rebounds, three assists and one steal

Pregame Quotes:

Nneka Ogwumike

On the feeling of retiring:

"I feel really good. I feel free about [retiring]. I feel that I'm doing it on my own terms, and I think what is most important is that I feel healthy and mentally sound. I've always told people that I didn't want to be dragged off the court, but I definitely wanted to leave what I have left on the court. I realized early on that this season is what I have left. We have nine more games and you're not going to see a different me. I'm going to keep doing what I know how to do, and I'm looking forward to doing that."

On the legacy being left on the Sparks: "

I think that you can live your legacy. Every day, if you're consistent and disciplined, [then] it becomes what it is. But, I've always said that I want to have a legacy that reflects that of contagion. Being great, making others great, being great because of others. That's something that I've experienced in becoming who I am today and something that I try to use to pass the baton forward. I would hope that in some way we can all be inspired by each other to lead as best as we can and to perform at a high level as best as we can."

Head Coach Lynne Roberts

On the team's resilience:

"I'll stand behind these guys. They've given me everything that they have, and I love them for it.

And I tell them that. I'd be easy, when we're down in New Y ork by three... to kind of finish it out. But, they kept fighting, and we got to get to the point where we're not down 30, but I love them for that. They have not quit on me a t all. They've showe d up every day, ready to learn, be better, turn the page, attack. That's the cultur e that we want, that we're building towards, and I couldn't be more grateful. "

On honoring Nneka Ogwumike in the final nine games of the season:

"What we can do is play the right way and give everything we've got to try to make these nine games the best we can make them. Beyond that I can't control much, but [ Nneka Ogwumike ] deserves that. She deserves the coaches giving everything they have [and] the players giving everything have. I could sense today a t film and shoot around that it's a rally ing cry. They get it, and I'm excited to see how we respond."

Postgame Quotes:

Head Coach Lynne Roberts

On highlights of tonight's game:

"I like that we got to play our bench a lot. We got to play our young guys a lot. I thought they did a good job. Tonie [ Morgan ] was good getting downhill. That's that pressure on the rim we were talking about. She's continuing to learn and absorb. Super coachable. [ Cameron Brink ] was super active tonight."

On keeping a foot on the gas:

"We put on the jersey, we want to try to win. I think what can be gained is a lot. [We have] eight games left. We're not just going to roll the ball out a nd flip a coin and hope for the best. We've got to coach our asses off. Players got to keep showing up the way they have. Come up with game plans, tweaks, adjustments, trying to figure out what works. A lot can be achieved in eight games, and we're going to keep chopping wood, and we're not ever going to quit."

Chance Gray On continuing to grow this season:

"I take every time I step onto the floor as a learning lesson. Just try to get better defensively and offensively. Use being able to play the point and the two to my advantage and just try to take advantage of every opportunity I have." On flexibility between roles: "Honestly, I look at it as a positive.

Being able to be utilized in different ways, I think that can be something that can help the team. I'm ready to do whatever the team needs me to do in that moment, whether it's on the ball, just being a defender, and being a spot-up shooter. I just try to play for my teammates, my coaches as hard as I can, and that's what I like to do."

Tonie Morgan On adapting to the team:

"I think it is a lot of information at once, but I'm doing my best. My teammates are doing a great job, and the coaching staff is doing a great job at helping me execute to the best of my ability to help the team." On her skill set transitioning: "Getting downhill really opens up the lane. The three -point shot for your teammates opens up pocket passes. Being able to make decisions in tight spaces helps. Just teams are still adjusting because being a quick guard, it's really hard to guard [me]. As knowing we've done that, but just being able to make the right read every time, be a playmaker, just really the main goal."

NEXT: The Sparks host the Connecticut Sun at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, August 22 at 6 p.m. PT

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