The Sparks played well on Wednesday against the Fever in Indiana.
But as in most games for the Sparks, it just wasn't enough, especially in the fourth quarter. The Fever played better and behind Caitlin Clark's second triple-double, they got past the Sparks, 93-86.
It was a game that was close throughout as neither team broke away and led by double digits. But the Fever (18-16) made just enough plays to keep the Sparks (7-26) away and win their seventh in eight games.
"Tonight is frustrating because I thought we did enough to win this game in a lot of areas," Sparks coach Curt Miller said. "But it was little things: offensive rebounds, second chance points, maybe spacing issues on plays that we've been running since training camp.
"With that said, under 90 seconds to go, you have a shot to tie it on the road and put yourself in position to win."
The Fever led, 87-84, with 1:35 to go. Kia Nurse missed an open three before Indiana got the rock. Kelsey Mitchell missed her own three but Lexie Hull got fouled after getting a huge offensive rebound. Hull's two free throws put the lead to five. Sparks turned the ball over in their next possession then Aliyah Boston put it away with a lay-up.
"Thought Aliyah Boston had a terrific game tonight," Miller said of the 2023 Rookie of the Year. "Gave us some problems with her physicality around the rim."
Boston finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds as she tied for the lead for most points scored in the game. Caitlin Clark, as mentioned earlier, had a triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
"She is elite," Miller said of Caitlin Clark. "She is one special player.
"Things that stand out to me, I've been around the game for 35 years: she plays with great pace. She plays with a great tempo first. She is an elite passer. She sees things before they develop."
Odyssey Sims led the Sparks with 20 points and six assists.
"For the most part, we stayed together. We were right there," Sims said. "It sucks, of course. A team I felt we definitely could've beat.
"But we played solid. We lost by seven but we're going to stay with it and we're gonna stay together."
Having trouble closing games out has been a recurring theme for the Sparks this season. It was another one that got away from them against the Fever.
Kelsey Mitchell supplemented the Fever's scoring with 18 points. As for the Sparks, Dearica Hamby and Rae Burrell each had 16 points while Azurá Stevens finished with a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards.
The Fever turned the ball over 18 times, compared to the Sparks' 12. That kept the game close for Los Angeles for the most part but in the end, Indiana got the W.
The Sparks will have a quick turnaround as they play Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky on Friday.