LOS ANGELES β This was not a good night in the office for the Sparks.
The Minnesota Lynx scored the first 11 points and had little trouble putting away the Sparks in an 86-62 victory on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Simply put, the Sparks couldn't put the ball through the hoop as they shot .260 (20 for 77) from the field. In the first half, they missed all 14 of their three-point attempts. Overall, they made 4 for 28 (.143) from behind the arc.
The Lynx (7-2) never let up, leading by as many as 28 points. The Sparks cut the deficit to 12 points in the fourth quarter but the Lynx quickly rebuilt the lead to 20.
Coach Curt Miller said the Sparks struggled with the physicality.
Coach Curt Miller was disappointed about the team struggling with physicality.@SportingTrib @FredoCervantes pic.twitter.com/93A0bHiXNh
β πππ²-πππ² (@TheNoLookPass) June 6, 2024
"Right now, we're really really struggling with physicality and everyone's seen it on film," Miller said. "And that's what we're getting every night from every team. As much as the physicality is being allowed in this league, we've got to make the adjustment. We have got to be able to handle the physicality.
"I gotta go do my job and help them. But right now, we're getting outtoughed. And it's a young team that gets their heels in a hurry when they're outtoughed."
Any positives? Dearica Hamby had something to say about it.
Any positives out of this game? @dearicamarie put it succinctly.@SportingTrib @FredoCervantes pic.twitter.com/DREBsoznrH
β πππ²-πππ² (@TheNoLookPass) June 6, 2024
"We've got another game in two days," Hamby said. "And we're going to keep playing basketball. This is our job. It's fun and we have another game in two days."
Hamby was the only Sparks player in double figures with 17 points. She also had 11 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season.
On a day when Cameron Brink chosen to be part of the 2024 USA Basketball 3Γ3 Womenβs National Team roster, she fouled out for the first time in her WNBA career. She finished with two points, six rebounds, and two blocks.
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier led four players in double figures with 25 points and nine boards.
In the meantime, the Sparks are now 0-2 in the Commissioner's Cup standings. The Sparks play next on Friday when they meet the Dallas Wings for the second time this season.
The Sporting Tribune's Fredo Cervantes contributed to this report.