NBA W· Season 2026
Connecticut Sun rode a dominant third quarter to beat Los Angeles Sparks 85-77 at TD Garden, with Olivia Nelson-Ododa posting 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Diamond Miller's pull-up three-pointer sparked a 7-2 opening run, and the Sun carried a 27-20 lead through the first quarter. Rae Burrell kept the Sparks in touch with a game-high 19 points, while Nneka Ogwumike added 18, but Connecticut held a 46-40 edge at the break.
The third quarter decided the contest. The Sun opened the half with an 8-0 run, beginning with a driving layup from Nelson-Ododa that drew a foul and became a three-point play. Burke followed with a three-pointer, and Miller converted a layup to force a Sparks timeout. Connecticut outscored Los Angeles 26-15 in the period, extending the lead to 72-55 entering the fourth.
The Sparks won the final quarter 22-13 — Dearica Hamby contributed 15 points — but never got closer than eight points.
The Turning Point
The opening three minutes of the third quarter. Connecticut's 8-0 burst immediately after halftime stretched a six-point game to 14, forcing Los Angeles into chase mode for the remainder of the contest.
Key Performers
- Olivia Nelson-Ododa (CON): 18 points, 11 rebounds, 7-11 FG. Scored 13 in the first half and imposed herself inside throughout.
- Kennedy Burke (CON): 17 points, 3-4 from three. Her perimeter efficiency stretched the Sparks defence.
- Diamond Miller (CON): 13 points. Set the tone early with a pull-up three.
- Rae Burrell (LAS): 19 points (game-high). Lacked sufficient support during Connecticut's decisive run.
- Nneka Ogwumike (LAS): 18 points. Kept the Sparks competitive in the first half.
Player of the Match: Olivia Nelson-Ododa
By the Numbers — Interpreted
Connecticut's scoring splits (27-19-26-13) reveal a team that dominated in two periods and survived a fourth-quarter push. The 26-15 third quarter was the largest period-to-period gap of the night. Burke's 3-4 from deep was critical: the Sparks packed the paint to contain Nelson-Ododa, leaving shooters open on the perimeter, and Connecticut made them pay. Los Angeles averaged 19.25 points per quarter but managed just 15 in the pivotal third.
What It Means
The Sun improved to 9-25; the Sparks fell to 12-23. This was Connecticut's third straight season playing a fixture in Boston before the franchise moves to Houston. The Sun next face the Las Vegas Aces on 20 August. The Sparks face the Sun again on 22 August, this time in Los Angeles.
Verdict
Connecticut's third-quarter execution separated a close contest from a comfortable win. Nelson-Ododa's interior presence proved decisive, and when the Sparks collapsed to contain her, the Sun's shooters — particularly Burke — made them pay. Los Angeles showed fight in the fourth, but the damage was done before the final frame began.
Rivalry since 2010
Connecticut Sun W vs Los Angeles Sparks W Head to Head Results· 50
Connecticut Sun W and Los Angeles Sparks W have met 50 times — Connecticut Sun W won 29, Los Angeles Sparks W won 21, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2010. Connecticut Sun W leads the head-to-head with 29 victories from 50 meetings. A combined 7814 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 156.28 per match (3984 for the home side, 3830 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 50 matches (100%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 50 games (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 102–94 in 2018.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 19 Aug 2026