Plum’s return not enough, Sparks continue slide

Three losses in a row.

The Los Angeles Sparks look like a team incapable of producing the moments of magic they need. (Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

LOS ANGELES -- A lot of what ails the Los Angeles Sparks are problems of their own making.

Those limitations were laid bare on Saturday night in a 104-96 loss to the Dallas Wings (7-3), further slipping Los Angeles to a 4-6 record. Even the return of Kelsey Plum wasn’t enough to boost the Sparks.

Despite their efforts, the Sparks looked much like a team that had floundered out of the gates, showcasing lackluster defensive effort and awareness, lackadaisical offensive ball security, and not enough toughness, fight, or spirit to get the job done on most nights.

“I thought we played better. The ball was moving, balanced scoring, five players in double figures, that’s how we want to play,” head coach Lynne Roberts said after her team’s third consecutive loss. “Dallas is a good team. They’re a good team. I think in the last four minutes, they kind of willed it to happen for them and we didn’t.”