Postgame Notes: Mercury vs. Sparks
Published on August 12, 2026 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release
Game Leaders:
Sparks
PTS - Dearica Hamby (19)
REB - Nneka Ogwumike (9)
AST - Nneka Ogwumike (8)
Mercury PTS - Noemie Brochant (24)
REB - Alyssa Thomas (7)
AST - Alyssa Thomas (9)
Key Takeaways:
With her team-high two blocks, Cameron Brink reached 100 career blocks and now hold possession of 6th all-time on the Sparks list in blocks, passing Mwadi Mabika. She also contributed seven points, five rebounds and one assist
Rae Burrell recorded a career-high six assists, plus 19 points, three rebounds and three steals. This is one in a series of Burrell's new career-high ratings this season, following her career-high 22-point game June 2nd and her 24-point game on July 15th
Dearica Hamby scored a team-high-tying 19 points, completing all her attempts from the field (8-for-8 FG). She also recorded four rebounds, two assists and two steals. This is Hamby's 27th game of the season in double digits and her seventh game with 19 points or more
Nneka Ogwumike tallied both a game-high nine rebounds and team-high eight assists in addition to 18 points (4-for-4 FT)
Los Angeles led Phoenix in paint points (44-38) and second chance points (11-5)
The competition featured 16 lead changes and 12 ties
First Quarter:
Dearica Hamby scored a team-high-tying seven points in the first quarter on 100.0% (1-for-1) shooting from the field and 100.0% (1-for-1) shooting from the line
Brink collected a team-high three rebounds in the first quarter in addition to scoring four points in less than four minutes of action
Los Angeles led Phoenix in paint points (14-10), second chance points (6-2) and outrebounded the Mercury (12-9)
The opening quarter featured two lead changes and two ties
Second Quarter:
The Sparks went on a 16-5 run from the 2:59 mark in the opening quarter to the 7:50 mark in the second quarter to make the score 31- 24, Los Angeles' advantage
Hamby scored a team-high-tying six points in the quarter on 100.0% (3-for-3) shooting from the field, plus two rebounds, one assist and one steal
Burrell dished a team high three assists, in addition to six points, one rebound and one steal
The Sparks limited the Mercury to shooting 36.4% (4-for-11) from the field and no steals (3-0) in the second quarter
Los Angeles led Phoenix in paint points (12-2) and assists (8-4) in the second quarter
The second quarter featured three lead changes and four ties
Third Quarter:
The Mercury went on a 10-0 run from the 9:25 to the 7:50 mark to make the score 54- 49, Phoenix's advantage
Burrell scored a team-high six points (2-for-2 FT) in the quarter, plus one rebound
Ogwumike collected a game-high four rebounds, also scoring two points and dishing two assists
Los Angeles limited Phoenix to no fast break points in the third quarter (3-0)
The third quarter featured five lead changes and four ties
Fourth Quarter:
The Mercury went on a 15-5 run from the 5:20 to the 0:25.7 second mark to make the score 90- 84, Phoenix's advantage
Burrell scored a team-high six points, plus one rebound, two assists and two steals
Ogwumike scored five points on 100.0% (1-for-1) shooting from the field and 100.0% (1-for-1) shooting from three in addition to one rebound and one assist
The fourth quarter featured five lead changes and two ties Pregame Quotes:
Head Coach Lynne Roberts
On laser focus:
"We're taking carer of Phoenix tonight. That's our mindset.
Then, we get on a plane and fly to New York and play them... Thursday. So, it's one at a time. T here's no'gimme games'in this league for any one, whether you're first or last. Every game is hard. .. We're process driven, so it's focused on tonight."
On Chance Gray's versatility and adaptability:
"Chance [ Gray ] has been great, and I think she's establishing herself in this league as someone that can play. Now, she's in the process of player development and just getting better every week. There are some little things we've identified with her to work on, but she's fearless. S he's a coach's kid, so she always understands what we're trying to do.
But anything we ask, she looks right at you and says'Okay. 'Her development's been great, and we're happy that she's with us."
Postgame Quotes:
Head Coach Lynne Roberts
On what was working 1 st quarter in this game vs previous ones:
"I think we were playing with pace and we were getting quality shots. Defensively, we were okay, but offensively, I think we were playing with pace and getting quality looks."
On Jihyun Park 's minutes:
"I thought [ Jihyun Park ] did a good job. She got in foul trouble, but plus nine in five minutes. We probably should have played her more."
Nneka Ogwumike
On the team's work to get the offense flowing:
"Through that process, we were trying our best to get looks downhill and get looks in the paint."
Dearica Hamby
On facing defensive changes:
"It was one on one on the inside before they went zone and sagged off. So, I feel like in the second half... as soon as I picked it up and spun, they were all there."
NEXT: The Sparks face the New York Liberty on the road at the Barclays Center at 5 p.m. PT
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 12, 2026
- Wings Hold off Toronto - Dallas Wings
- Connecticut Sun Honor Tina Charles as Sun Legend - Connecticut Sun
- Postgame Notes: Mercury vs. Sparks - Los Angeles Sparks
- Sky Look to Bounce Back against Valkyries as Road Trip Continues - Chicago Sky
- Behind a Combined 51 Points from Wilson & Young, Aces Earn 86-76 Victory to Halt Mystics Winning Streak - Las Vegas Aces
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