Indianapolis, IND – The Los Angeles Sparks narrowly defeated the Indiana Fever last night, securing an 89-87 victory in a hard-fought contest at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game, which saw multiple lead changes and ties, came down to the wire, with the Sparks ultimately pulling ahead in the final minute despite trailing by six points late in the fourth quarter. This marks the Sparks’ second road win against the Fever in just over a week.

➡️  Fever v Sparks photos

Azurá Stevens was a pivotal force for the Sparks, leading all scorers with 21 points and grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds, earning her sixth double-double of the season. Kelsey Plum contributed significantly with 20 points, including four crucial three-pointers that moved her up the WNBA’s all-time list. Dearica Hamby added 18 points, while Rickea Jackson chipped in 15 points and set a career high with five assists, including the go-ahead basket in the final minute. The Sparks’ efficient offense, characterized by a season-low eight turnovers and 22 assists, proved to be a key factor in their success.

For the Indiana Fever, who were still without star Caitlin Clark due to a groin injury, Aliyah Boston delivered a stellar performance with a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double. Natasha Howard also had a strong outing, scoring 21 points and pulling down nine rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell contributed 19 points and reached a significant milestone by surpassing 600 career three-pointers. Despite the strong individual efforts and leading by as many as eight points in the third quarter, the Fever were unable to close out the game, missing their last five shots in the final minute.

The contest was evenly matched throughout, with nine ties and nine lead changes in the first half alone. The Fever held a slim 45-42 lead at halftime, but the Sparks, fueled by Kelsey Plum’s scoring burst, took a 70-69 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The final period saw intense back-and-forth action, with the Sparks’ composure under pressure and clutch plays ultimately making the difference.

This victory improves the Sparks’ season record and continues their historical dominance over the Fever, moving to 41-16 all-time against Indiana. For the Fever, despite the loss, they showed resilience and strong play even without their marquee player, having won three straight games, including the Commissioner’s Cup, before last night’s defeat. Both teams will now look to their next matchups, with the Fever hosting Golden State on Wednesday and the Sparks facing Minnesota at home on Thursday.

Fans were also treated to a special performance by Carly Augenstein, who plays Elphaba in the National Tour of WICKED The Musical, who sang the National Anthem and performed Defying Gravity at halftime to the delight of the fans, many of whom decided to join in singing.