Sun take on the Sparks on 3-game slide

The Connecticut Sun host the Los Angeles Sparks at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville on Thursday at 7 p.m. EDT. The Sun (3-19 overall, 2-7 Eastern Conference) aim to end a three-game losing streak, while the Sparks (9-14 overall, 3-10 Western Conference) seek to improve their 6-6 road record.

Connecticut holds a 2-8 home record and ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference with 31.0 rebounds per game, led by Olivia Nelson-Ododa’s 6.0 boards. Los Angeles excels in interior scoring, ranking second in the WNBA with 38.8 paint points per game, spearheaded by Dearica Hamby’s 12.4 average.

Statistically, the Sun average 5.9 three-pointers per game—3.3 below the 9.2 threes Los Angeles typically allows. The Sparks shoot 45.3% from the field this season, slightly below the 46.4% Connecticut’s opponents average.

This marks the teams’ second matchup of 2024; Los Angeles won 92-88 on July 13. Kelsey Plum scored 23 points for the Sparks in that victory, while Bria Hartley led the Sun with 25 points.

Key performers include Connecticut’s Tina Charles (15.6 points, 5.6 rebounds) and Hartley (averaging 10.7 points over her last 10 games). For Los Angeles, Plum averages 19.7 points and 5.8 assists, while Hamby has averaged 18.4 points across the past 10 games.

The Sun are 1-9 in their last 10 games, averaging 74.0 points on 39.6% shooting while allowing 88.2 points per contest.