Dearica Hamby (27 points, 15 rebounds) steers Sparks past Mercury

Dearica Hamby posted season highs of 27 points and 15 rebounds as the Los Angeles Sparks prevailed in their first road game of the season, beating the Phoenix Mercury 97-88 on Thursday night.

Hamby, who produced her first double-double of the season and the 55th of her career, led six Los Angeles players who scored in double figures.

The Sparks (2-3) shot 48.4% from the floor (31 of 64) with their balanced-scoring effort. Kelsey Plum finished with 16 points, while Cameron Brink, Nneka Ogwumike and Rae Burrell each had 12. Ariel Atkins added 11 points.

Plum's seven assists were part of Los Angeles' 23 in the game.

Phoenix (2-4) went 1-3 in its four-game homestand.

The Mercury, who will play seven of their next eight games on the road, were led by Alyssa Thomas' 23 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Kahleah Copper had 22 points, and Jovana Nogic added 15.

Los Angeles established a 60-43 lead at halftime after outscoring the Mercury 35-19 in the second quarter.

Ogwumike had all 10 points in the second quarter on 4-of-6 shooting from the field, including 2-of-2 success from 3-point range

Plum had 14 points by halftime, while Ogwumike, Hamby and Brink each contributed 10 for the Sparks before the break.

Brink hit all three of her first-half attempts from the field, including one from 3-point range.

Los Angeles made 19 of 31 shot attempts (61.3%) in the half, while Phoenix went 16 of 35 (45.7%).

The Sparks' lead reached as high as 21 points in the third quarter.

Nine unanswered points by Phoenix -- the last five from Thomas -- cut the gap to 69-59 with 4:42 left in the third quarter.

Los Angeles responded with an 8-2 run that was fueled by five points from Hamby. Her three-point play with 2:01 left in the third quarter gave Los Angeles a 77-61 lead.

Phoenix sliced the deficit to 92-83 with 3:50 left on a layup by DeWanna Bonner, but Wheeler responded with a 3-pointer 38 seconds later.

--Field Level Media