Cameron Brink, Sparks Beat Mercury, Eliminated from WNBA Playoff Race After Storm Win

Despite the Los Angeles Sparks' gritty 88-83 road win over the Phoenix Mercury to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Seattle Storm spoiled the celebration by securing a victory of their own Tuesday to clinch the final postseason spot.

Cameron Brink and the Sparks refused to let their season end quietly. Brink finished with four points, six rebounds and two steals.

Kelsey Plum added 17 points and five assists, while Dearica Hamby posted a near double-double with 25 points and nine rebounds. Rae Burrell contributed 20 points as the Sparks improved to 21-22.

With the win, Los Angeles improved to 21-22 and kept its postseason hopes flickering momentarily — but the Sparks were officially eliminated from contention, when the Seattle Storm clinched the final playoff spot with a one point win over the Golden State Valkyries. Los Angeles became the last team eliminated from the 2025 WNBA postseason.

Still, the road win in Phoenix was a testament to the team's resilience down the stretch.

Phoenix, meanwhile, was led by Satou Sabally's 24 points, while Alyssa Thomas posted a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Kahleah Copper added nine points and four rebounds for the Mercury, who fell to 27-16 but remained locked into fourth place in the WNBA standings with the playoffs looming.

The Mercury outpaced the Sparks in the first quarter behind five points from Copper, jumping out to a quick 25–19 lead heading into the second. But in the second quarter, the Sparks responded with a strong push, led by a dominant showing from Burrell, and took a 45–44 lead into halftime.

After the break, both teams traded buckets in a tightly contested third quarter. Los Angeles found momentum behind a spark from Plum and Julie Allemand and the sparks clung on to a one point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.

In the fourth, both teams traded blows in a tense, back-and-forth finish. Hamby delivered in the clutch for the Sparks and led the way to an 88-83 win. 

Los Angeles wraps up its season at home with one final challenge—a matchup against A'ja Wilson and the surging Las Vegas Aces.