Postgame Notes: Sparks vs. Wings
Published on September 18, 2026 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release
Game Leaders:
Sparks
PTS - Nneka Ogwumike (18) REB - Nneka Ogwumike (7) AST - Rae Burrell/Nneka Ogwumike/Erica Wheeler/Tonie Morgan (4)
Dream
PTS - Paige Bueckers (19) REB - Jessica Shepard (12) AST - Jessica Shepard (11)
Key Takeaways:
With her four rebounds, Dearica Hamby now holds sole possession of 17th all-time in rebounds passing Sancho Lyttle. The forward also scored 14 points, two steals, one assist and one block
Nneka Ogwumike scored a team-high 18 points (8-for-12 FG, 2-for-3 3PT), a team-high seven rebounds, tied for a team-high four assists and one steal
Rae Burrell tallied 12 points along with four assists and one rebound
Los Angeles led Dallas in second change points (15-11) and steals (13-9)
The competition featured 12 lead changes and 12 ties
First Quarter:
Hamby opened scoring for the Sparks with a bank hook at the 9:05 mark via an assist from Burrell
At the 3:20 mark, Aaliyah Nye scored her first points as a Spark with a triple off an assist from Cameron Brink
Los Angeles went on a 13-4 scoring run from the 9:05 to the 6:18 mark to make the score 13- 9, Sparks' advantage
Burrell tallied a team-high six points in the opening quarter
Second Quarter:
With less than 15 seconds left in the first half, Brink converted a layup to tie the score, 44-44
Ogwumike scored both a team-high 11 points (5-for-7 FG, 1-for-1 3PT) and team-high six rebounds in the first half
Los Angeles led Dallas in steals (9-1), paint points (28-16), second chance points (8-5) and fast break points (11-9) in the first half
The first half featured eight lead changes and 10 ties
Third Quarter:
Ogwumike opened second quart scoring with a jumpshot at the 9:49 mark via an assist from Erica Wheeler to put the Sparks up 46-44
Shyanne Sellers completed her first point as a Spark at the 1:50 mark with a free throw
Los Angeles limited Dallas to no chance points (7-0) in the third quarter
The third quarter featured four lead changes and two ties
Fourth Quarter:
Hamby opened scoring for the Sparks at the 9:15 mark with a bank hook to make the score 74- 60, Wings' advantage
The Wings went on a 33-11 run from the 4:09 mark in the third quarter to the 4:38 mark in the fourth to make the score 89- 65, Dallas' advantage
Ariel Atkins and Morgan tied for a team-high four points in the final quarter
Pregame Quotes:
Head Coach Lynne Roberts
On finding the right balance for the rotation:
"I don't know how to coach not to win, right? Every time we go out there, I want a coach to win, compete to win and game plan to win. But you're right; we do need to get some of our younger guys out there, but I think you can do both. I think two things can be true. You can coach to win, play to win and also play some of your younger guys and give them some experience and see what you got."
On Rae Burrell's chance at winning Most Improved Player:
"I think [ Rae Burrell ] certainly has had quite a jump this year and I'm incredibly proud of her. She's taken the opportunity and ran with it. She has improved if you look at it last year and then this year. I think the system that we play allows her space to attack, the spacing and she's got the green light to shoot those kickouts."
Postgame Quotes:
Head Coach Lynne Roberts
On fixing offensive mistakes:
"[There were] n ew lineups out there. It's an adjustment, and it's hard on an offense that way to plug new people in and expect them to be up to speed. It's just tough and I'm not trying to find excuses. I think we got some good looks, we just didn't make them. No one's out there trying to miss so maybe it was just one of those nights. I'll need to watch the film to really understand but it also felt a little bit like the we were shooting it a little fast sometimes. We want to play fast but not rushed. Some of our shots felt a little rushed."
Nneka Ogwumike On playing in Texas:
"It feels real actually. I'm very grateful to have done this on my own terms and also have the opportunity to come back not too far away from where I grew up to play in front of friends and family. I always have a big group of people that support me down here. I'm happy to be healthy. competing still at this level, and enjoying every moment along the way."
On retiring as a Los Angeles Spark:
"[Los Angeles Sparks] is where my career started. Being drafted here and having the opportunity to be able to finish in this jersey is incredibly important. I've had most of my memories and time here in LA, so I'm just very grateful to be back in this position to hopefully leave something before I head out.
Aaliyah Nye On adapting to the team:
"It felt good to actually play. I told myself to just go out there and be confident. Coach [Lynne Roberts] gave me some encouraging words before the game started. Just go out there and shoot it. So that's what I tried to do, and I'm just going to give my all these last four games and try to help this team win in whatever way I can."
On working with Nneka Ogwumike:
"I've learned a lot from [ Nneka Ogwumike ]. She's a great leader. She's always coaching us in practice. And one special memory I feel that I have with her is on draft night or draft day, I was working out in the morning, and I actually saw Nneka in the gym. It was my first time meeting her, and I told her I was there for the draft, and she just gave me encouraging words. So, that's something that I'll remember forever, and I appreciate her for just introducing herself and coming to talk to me that day."
NEXT: The Sparks return to the Crypto.com Arena to celebrate franchise legend Lisa Leslie in a statue unveiling ceremony and host the Portland Fire on Sunday, September 20 at 2 p.m. PT.
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- Postgame Notes: Sparks vs. Wings - Los Angeles Sparks
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