The Indiana fever craze has arrived in Los Angeles with momentum: five straight wins, the trick to winning without Caitlin Clark, the bet line tilts. Their tears prove that they can keep pace even in streetwear franchise centers.
But another storyline may be hidden below Indiana.
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Sparks have won six of their last seven outings, probably due to the first time in more than a year that each of its roster has been restored to a rare luxury. On the night at the Crypto.com arena, they won seven of eight, and Sparks won a 100-91 victory.
“Tonight is a great step in the right direction,” said defender Kelsey Plum. “It was an incredible team, they were as hot as anyone. … They got everything they wanted to win the championship.
Clark has never encountered a Hardjust Tuesday since July 15 after suffering a right groin injury from July 15. But her existence is impossible to miss.
An hour before Tip-Off, Clark entered the arena, causing a wave of screams. Fans tucked their shoulders in the horizontal and barricades, stretched their jerseys, shook their heads and posted their autographs to her. But once the ball rises, Clark doesn't use ink, but stays as her fever assistant coach.
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For all the fires on Clark's bench, Sparks (13-15) caught her absence and couldn't take control from one of the league's hottest teams and get close to the playoff spot.
“We have enough teams and talent to make the playoffs,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. “We just have to step on gas. As I kept saying we aren't going into this season, saying we want to beat Indiana at home. We're coming this season, saying we want to make the playoffs.”
Roberts has been juggling the roster with injuries and roster turnovers for most of the season and can finally breathe out, the healthy five games are healthy fives, Cameron Brink wearing uniforms and ready to contribute to the bench.
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With steady rotation, the result is stable. Mei Zi set the pace of the night, stacking up 25 points and 11 assists. Around her, Sparks’ scoring core – Rickea Jackson matched 16 with 25-year-old Dearica Hamby, while Azurá Stevens scored 19 – keeping the scoreboard buzzing. Julie Allemand took the offense in a simultaneous manner, winning seven assists, five points and eight rebounds.
We all know her in this room [Plum] “It can win 40, but she wants to win more than she is 30. But tonight, she gets a lot of attention from another team's scout report – she should – but she is… trying to win.”
Midway through the first quarter, Brink registered, grabbed several boards and quickly stuffed the 6-foot-2-foot Natasha Howard's shot in five refusals that night.
“We just chemistry on and off the court,” Jackson said. “But when we play like this and exudes each other’s energy, that’s good, that’s when we keep running, that’s when we don’t back down because we trust each other.”
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After Rae Burrell's acrobatic layup spin to get the spark forward 32-30, they never relaxed their grip, extending the lead to 90-68 in the middle of the third quarter. But Aari McDonald and Kelsey Mitchell sparked a 21-5 match, and suddenly, less than two minutes left in the game were uncomfortable.
But in a winning building, Sparks clutched the victory and handed it over to Los Angeles’ loyalty.
Sex toys thrown in court
A sex toy was thrown from the stands near Sophie Cunningham, Indiana.
The incident happened with 2:05 left in the second quarter, with objects landing in the driveway near Cunningham, which has been vocalizing on social media, admonishing fans to throw sex toys on the court in other games. The fever striker jumped back in surprise, and then Li Zi kicked him into the stands.
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“I think it's ridiculous, stupid, stupid, stupid, and dangerous,” Roberts said. “It's also dangerous, the safety of the players is number one. Respect the game. All of these things. I think it's really stupid.”
Plum added that she thinks both teams are doing well: “Keep on the game and don't get any attention. Referee, I'm very grateful to them, like hey, go.”
Cunningham walked up to the Sparks bench and laughed at it.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.