The Los Angeles Sparks pick up their first win against the Washington Mystics, thanks to a game-saving block by rookie Cameron Brink. The 70-68 win improves the Sparks to 1-2 on the young season, while the Mystics are still in search of their first win falling to 0-4. Leading the scoring for LA was Lexie Brown, who scored 20 points and added six assists, both season highs. Dearica Hamby added a double-double in the win, scoring 17 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. Brink finished with four points, eight rebounds, three steals, and four blocks in the game. Rookie guard/forward Rickea Jackson finished with a season-high 31 minutes off the bench, scoring nine points, grabbing three rebounds and one block.

Game Notes

Through the first three games, Hamby has scored 66 points, and grabbed 41 rebounds. She is the first WNBA player with 65+ points and 40+ rebounds through their first three games in a season.

Brink has 11 total blocks through her first three career games this season, which ties Elena Baranova and Margo Dydek for third most all-time. 

Hamby set a career high with 16 defensive rebounds. Her previous high was 15.

The Mystics outscored the Sparks in points off of turnovers, 26-10

Ariel Atkins finished the night with a career-high six steals along with scoring nine points. She became second all-time in franchise history in career steals (265), passing Monique Currie (260).

Aaliyah Edwards scored in double-figures for the first time in her career, finishing the night with 10 points, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. She has started her career out with at least one block in each of her first four games.

The Mystics had 21 assists on the night. They have started the season with 20+ assists in all four games. Washington currently ranks 2nd in the WNBA in assists per game, averaging 21.3, behind only the Minnesota Lynx (25.0), and just ahead of the Las Vegas Aces (20.7). 

The Sparks have another opportunity to win at home when they face Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Friday, May 24th.

The Mystics are still in search for their first win, when they travel to Phoenix to battle the Mercury on Thursday, May 23rd.