Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum lift Sparks to win over Seattle

Less than 10 days ago, the Seattle storm and the sparks fought deeply in a second extension – the first in the WNBA 2025 season – by stirring each drop of climate drama Gled Arena. Sunday evening, the same challenges were at stake while the teams tried to strengthen their chances in the playoffs.

The intensity did not abandon before the final horn. With 5.6 seconds to play, Delerica Hamby rugged in painting and scored on a driving lay-up to place the sparks for good. After the storm missed their last chance to win, Pandemonium spread on the ground – Sparks players jumping into each other, fans who attracted hardwood, singing “Hamby” to celebrate the 94-91 victory of the Sparks.

“We are playing for this kind of match,” said German Julie, who collected eight passes, “it’s exciting to play this kind of game. In the end, when you make the big blow we need, it’s a great feeling.”

The Sparks managed to rally after falling into a 16-point deficit in the first quarter, perhaps a symptom of playing consecutive nights.

Then came Kelsey Plum – who finished with 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds – folding his game in all directions to transport the Sparks to their ninth victory in 11 games.

Sparks coach, Lynne Roberts, painted Plum as a change of form – capable of twisting his game in everything that the game requires.

“This is what your best players should do – you involve everyone and make sure we are flowing,” said Roberts before the match, “and then when they need you, you have done a great job.”

By dragging the storm (16-16) by 17 in the first quarter, Plum, which had still not marked, tore a quick break in head, freezing the defense with a hesitation in the bow and a slide in the basket for a three-point game. A few seconds later, Plum created another opportunity on an extended right elbow, drilling a three -point pointer on the face of Erica Wheeler.

The goalkeeper of the Sparks, Kelsey Plum, on the right, led against the guardian of Seattle Brittney Sykes in the fourth quarter on Sunday.

(Luke Hales / Getty Images)

“I have always been known as a marker and I learned that over time, your impact on the game is a lot of time because you can mark, you will get attention and find people,” said Plum. “On the run, we were, we are better when I do both.”

It was the push of the momentum whose sparks (15-16) needed to overcome the beginning of spray.

Playing all the first half, Plum went from the table to the table to a shot in the second quarter-Rae Burrell for a three-corner corner before splashing a triple to equalize the 29-29 score with 6:30 am to do in the second quarter.

“The leadership is difficult, to determine when to push, when to shoot, when to abandon it, when to take it back,” said Roberts. “”[Plum] keep improving better and better. … she is so competitive and wants to win.

Azurá Stevens and Cameron Brink were strong in the key early, but the sparks slammed horsemen, dribbed in traffic and looked at offensive possessions die on the edge in addition to committing eight reversals in the first quarter. Roberts therefore rolled the dice on a smaller look – exchanging his paint patrol by Stevens and Brink against the Julie Vanloo and Burrell guards.

“When they are really tall, we are a little smaller with Rickea [Jackson] On the four, “said Roberts.” It was a Battle of Will – it seems that each time, as the last time we played them, from front to back. »»

Plum and German have kept the smaller unity in constant moving, whisking the wing passes to the wing and cutting the open tracks for Burrell and Jackson, while Vanloo, German and Plum have conceded beyond the arc. Roberts set up this group in the second quarter, and they finally reduced the deficit.

Hamby finished with 19 points and seven rebounds, Stevens collected 15 points and eight rebounds and Brink contributed 14 points, five rebounds and two interceptions of the bench.

When the final buzzer faded, the players still smiled through hugs, and the “hamby” songs of the crowd continued – the excitement for a Sparks team who had taken out of the fire.

“Really proud of this rebound,” said Plum. “We could have folded – especially early. But there is something in this team. We are young, we are competitive, we are hungry. ”