Nneka Ogwumike scored 24 points as the Los Angeles Sparks rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to beat the Washington Mystics 88-82 Friday night.
Washington controlled much of the first half and carried a 51-40 lead into the break, but Los Angeles stayed within striking distance before turning the game around in the fourth quarter. With 4:50 remaining, Rae Burrell scored from close range during the decisive stretch as the Sparks took control late.
Taking care of the basketball proved critical to the comeback.
Los Angeles committed just nine turnovers compared with 16 for Washington, giving the Sparks seven additional possessions in the turnover battle. Los Angeles also held a seven-percentage-point advantage from the field, helping offset a night in which Washington dominated the glass.
The Mystics outrebounded the Sparks 34-23, marking the 37th time this season Washington has won the rebounding battle — a WNBA single-season record. It was also the Mystics’ 18th game with a rebounding advantage of at least 10, another league record.
But Washington couldn’t turn that dominance on the glass into a win.
Ogwumike led Los Angeles offensively with 24 points on 11-of-16 shooting while adding five assists and four rebounds. Her efficiency helped the Sparks chip away at Washington’s lead after halftime.
Burrell supplied an important secondary option, finishing with 15 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Washington countered with a balanced offensive performance and finished with 20 assists, its 21st game this season with at least 20.
Sonia Citron led the Mystics with 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range, and added three steals. It was her first career game with at least 20 points and three steals.
Shakira Austin added 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds for her 18th double-double of the season. The performance also brought Austin to 657 points this year, tying the highest single-season scoring total in Mystics franchise history.
Austin has now recorded at least 10 points and five rebounds in 22 consecutive games.
Kiki Iriafen gave Washington another double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds on 5-of-9 shooting. It was her 20th point-rebound double-double of the season, making her the first player in franchise history to reach 20 in a single year.
Iriafen has recorded a double-double in six consecutive games, the longest such streak in Mystics history.
Austin and Iriafen have now posted point-rebound double-doubles in the same game eight times this season, setting a WNBA record for a pair of teammates.
Washington had plenty working in its favor. The Mystics won the rebounding battle by 11, produced three double-figure scorers and received double-doubles from both Austin and Iriafen.
What they couldn’t overcome was Los Angeles’ ability to protect the basketball and execute after halftime.
The Sparks committed seven fewer turnovers, shot more efficiently from the field and erased an 11-point halftime deficit on their way to an 88-82 victory.
Los Angeles improved to 14-25 with the win, while Washington fell to 24-16.
