Postgame Notes: Sparks vs. Sun
WNBA Los Angeles Sparks

Postgame Notes: Sparks vs. Sun

Published on August 18, 2026 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release


Game Leaders:

Sparks

PTS - Rae Burrell (19) REB - Nneka Ogwumike (7) AST - Rae Burrell (6)

Sun

PTS - Olivia Nelson-Ododa (18) REB - Olivia Nelson-Ododa (11) AST - Leila Lacan (10)

Key Takeaways:

Nneka Ogwumike reached 1,000 career assists with her one assist. She also contributed a team-high seven rebounds and 18 points (8-for-15 FG, 2-for-2 FT)

Rae Burrell scored both a game-high 19 points (7-for-12 FG) as well as a team and career-high-matching six assists. The guard-forward also tied for a game-high two blocks

Dearica Hamby recorded 15 points (5-for-6 FT), five rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block

Tonie Morgan tallied a career-high eight points and four made-field goals (4-for- 5 FG) as well as a career and team-high three steals

First Quarter:

Burrell opened scoring for the Sparks with a layup via an assist from Hamby at the 9:30 mark to make the score 2-2

Burrell and Hamby tied for a team-high six points each shooting 100.0% from the stripe (2-for-2)

Los Angeles led Connecticut in paint points (16-14) in the opening quarter

Second Quarter:

Tonie Morgan opened second quarter scoring for Los Angeles with a layup at the 8:11 mark to cut the Sparks' deficit, 28 -22

In just six minutes of action, Morgan scored a team-high six points in the quarter on 100.0% shooting from the field (3-for-3)

Kate Martin grabbed team-high four rebounds in the second quarter

In the second quarter, Los Angeles limited Connecticut to no three pointers (0- for-2), no second chance points (2-0) and led the Sun in rebounds (14-6)

Third Quarter:

The Sun went 12-4 run from the 6:35 to the 3:38 mark to make the score 68-49, Connecticut's advantage

Ogwumike scored a team-high six points in the quarter, in addition to two rebounds and one assist

Atkins scored five points on 100.0% shooting (1-for-1 FT, 1-for-1 3PT) and dished one assist

Fourth Quarter:

Burrell opened scoring for the final quarter with a jump shot at the 9:11 mark to make the score 72- 57, Connecticut's advantage

Los Angeles went on a 13-3 scoring run from the 6:18 to the 2:23 mark to cut the Sparks' deficit, 81 -70

Hamby and Burrell scored a team-high tying six points each, Hamby on 75.0% shooting (3-for-4 FG) and Burrell on 66.7% (2-for-3) shooting from the field and 100.0% (2-for-2) shooting from the stripe

The Sparks led the Sun in paint points (18-10) and fast break points (7-2) and limited Connecticut to no blocks (2-0) Pregame Quotes:

Head Coach Lynne Roberts

On Tonie Morgan's first WNBA start:

"It's been... four or five days for [ Tonie Morgan ] to be activated and then be put on a full-time contract and now two days later be starting. T hat's just the nature of the beast, b ut she's done it. S he's handled it really well. I think [ Erica Wheeler ] has done a great job of trying to teach her in-game during the time outs, just vet to rookie, and she's holding her accountable... It's working well. She's gotten a lot of film in, so I think she's doing as best a job she can and I've been pleasantly pleased."

On playing every available player:

"We're going to have to play everybody. The 10 that are healthy are going to get to run, and... we're best when we play with pace. But it's hard to play with pace, taking the ball to the nets. We've got to [start] defensively and rebounding so we can get out and go."

Postgame Quotes:

Nneka Ogwumike

On staying consistent for the team:

"I try to take every day one at a time. I like to be as consistent as I can. I don't feel that I benefit from being too high or being too low, so I just stay prepared and it's not just me. There's a lot being asked of all of us, but I also realize what my role is for us to be able to stay in games. I try to focus as much on that while also facilitating for the team."

Ariel Atkins

On staying level-headed in adversity:

"I think at the end of the day, we all have to understand there's a bigger picture, and that's what I've been hanging my head on. I haven't been the player that I want to be this season, and so I can't be too down on myself, and I also can't be too down on my team. I think at the end of the day, the goal is to push through and find a way to fight, and that's what we're going to do every day... Who do we want to be at the end of this ? Are we gonna hang our heads and just die? [Or] are we gonna fire our way through and find a way to use the season as a positive?"

On locker room leadership:

"Truthfully, i t's been hard because I haven't played the way I wanted to play, but I think at the end of the day, we all have experience in that locker room. Everybody has experience for so mething, and being one of the older players, I think it's important to have steady voices in the locker room... F or me, it's really a growth point. It's something my team asks for me all the time, is to speak up and use my voice more. It's just something that you have to do, and always be a steady person. But, at the end of the day, I think my action speaks louder than my words, and I think that's the biggest part when it comes to leadership for me personally."

NEXT: The Sparks will face the Atlanta Dream at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, August 20 at 7 p.m. PT

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