The Los Angeles Sparks defeated the Dallas Wings, 79-61, as Dearica Hamby posted her second consecutive excellent game one the Sparks needed coming off of a road loss in Minnesota. Hamby had a season high in rebounds and blocks in that game but shined offensively in Dallas, scoring a season-high 23 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 2 assists to finish the game.

The ball movement and shooting from the outside was key for the Sparks to get the win, but defensively Nneka Ogwumike made history. She passed Lindsay Whalen on the WNBA’s all-time steals list with 501 and was a great second option next to Hamby in the game, scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The Wings were within striking distance for most of the game due to Kalani Brown’s big game with 21 points and 11 rebounds, but it wasn’t nearly enough as the Sparks controlled the game for most of the way and pulled away in the end with an impressive 18-point victory.

After a tough loss on the road in Minnesota, the team needed a jolt, and they got one on the road. We all know about Hamby’s excellent play defensively, but for her to be this good offensively is something special. She is one of the Sparks key acquisitions, and coming form the Las Vegas Aces, a team known for all-around play, she is showing it this year.

Not just that, but Ogwumike has proven to be as steady as possible, leading the team with her fourth double-double of the year and provided a couple steals on the defensive end. With that tandem defensively, the Sparks could make some noise in the WNBA and shock some people. They put the game away after leading by only 10 in the 4th and outscored Dallas 18-10 in that final quarter to earn themselves a split on this 2 game road trip. Not to mention, the Sparks handed the Wings their first home loss of the year.

The Sparks will come back home with a big win as they face the Minnesota Lynx for the second time in three games. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PST at Crypto.com Arena..