This is a picture of Rickea Jackson in a match.
The Los Angeles Sparks continued their hot streak Tuesday night with a 100-91 win over the Indiana Fever. This marks the Sparks' seventh win in eight games — and their third straight against the Fever this season.
Rickea Jackson led the charge with 25 points, including 17 in the second half. Her deep 3-pointer with just over six minutes left in the game pushed the Sparks to a commanding 90-68 lead. Kelsey Plum also starred, recording a double-double with 25 points and 11 assists.
Late Rally Falls Short for Indiana
The Fever tried to claw back with a 21-5 run in the final minutes, cutting the gap to just six points. But Azura Stevens stepped up big for L.A., sinking her fifth straight 3-pointer with 1:17 left, crushing Indiana’s hopes. Stevens ended with 19 points, missing just one shot all night.
Dearica Hamby added 16 points, and Cameron Brink tied her career-best with five blocks, continuing her strong return from injury.
Caitlin Clark Still Sidelined
The Fever played their eighth consecutive game without rookie star Caitlin Clark, who is still recovering from a groin strain. Her absence was clearly felt.
Kelsey Mitchell tried to fill the void, scoring 34 points with seven triples. Natasha Howard followed with 17 points, while Aliyah Boston had 15 points and nine rebounds — just missing a seventh straight double-double.
Season Series Favors Los Angeles
With this win, the Sparks remain undefeated against the Fever this season. Their final regular-season clash is set for August 29 in Los Angeles.
Indiana’s five-game winning streak came to an end, their longest since 2015, when current head coach Stephanie White was in her first run with the team.
Strong First Half Set the Tone
Both Plum and Hamby scored 14 in the first half, helping the Sparks close the second quarter on a 23-8 run. They led 54-43 at halftime, thanks in part to deadly perimeter shooting. Los Angeles hit 7-of-14 from deep, with Stevens, Jackson, and Plum connecting on six of their seven attempts.
Unusual Distraction on the Court
An unexpected moment occurred in the second quarter when a sex toy was thrown onto the court near Fever player Sophie Cunningham. The object landed in the paint with 2:05 remaining in the first half. Plum responded by kicking it back into the stands. Cunningham, who had previously spoken out about similar incidents, took the moment in stride, laughing with the Sparks bench.
Looking Ahead
Los Angeles is now 13-15 and building momentum at a critical point in the season. With their stars in sync and shooting lights out from beyond the arc, they’re shaping into a serious playoff contender.
Indiana, now 17-13, will hope to bounce back quickly and get Clark back on the court. Her return could be the key to reigniting their rhythm as the playoffs approach.
Key Takeaways:
- Rickea Jackson and Kelsey Plum each scored 25 for the Sparks
- Azura Stevens was nearly perfect, hitting 5-of-5 from beyond the arc
- Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell dropped 34 points in a losing effort
- Caitlin Clark missed her eighth straight game
- Sparks have now won all three meetings with the Fever this season
The Sparks are heating up at the right time — and Indiana might need Caitlin Clark back soon to cool them down.
