LOS ANGELES — With their playoff hopes on the line, the Sparks started the game on a 12-0 run, and later rallied in the fourth quarter for a much-needed 81-78 win against the Washington Mystics at Crypto.com Arena Sunday night.

Sparks forward Dearica Hamby had a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Kelsey Plum scored 14 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter. Plum also had seven assists. Rickea Jackson scored 16 points. Azurá Stevens nearly had a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds.

The Sparks led 55-49 at the end of the third quarter. However, a 7-0 run by the Mystics to start the fourth made it 56-55, which was the first time the Sparks trailed with 8:21 left in the game. Plum made two free throws, which put the Sparks back up 57-56. Stevens’ putback layup made it 5

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