In a contest that epitomized the spirit and competitive fire of the WNBA, the Los Angeles Sparks clinched a dramatic 108-106 double-overtime victory over the Seattle Storm, marking the season’s first game to extend beyond two extra periods.

The decisive moment arrived with merely 4.3 seconds remaining in the second overtime when Dearica Hamby executed a contested layup, propelling the Sparks into a narrow lead that ultimately secured their hard-fought win. On the opposing end, Skylar Diggins-Smith’s subsequent shot in a similar high-pressure scenario regrettably rimmed out as the final buzzer sounded, sealing the Storm’s fate.

The Sparks showcased a formidable team effort, with Rickea Jackson leading the charge, contributing an impressive 27 points. Her performance was pivotal in extending the Sparks’ recent winning streak to six out of seven games. Complementing Jackson’s output, Kelsey Plum added 22 points and seven assists, while both Hamby and Azura Stevens chipped in with 21 points each, with Hamby also securing a double-double with 13 rebounds.

Rising star Cameron Brink, in only her second game since returning from ACL surgery last season, demonstrated her versatility with seven points, four rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in just 12 minutes, hinting at her burgeoning potential despite battling foul trouble.

For the Seattle Storm, veteran Nneka Ogwumike delivered a masterful performance, scoring 37 points—just one shy of her career-high set during her tenure with the Sparks nine years prior. Ogwumike’s dominant display also saw her collect 12 rebounds, and she etched her name into WNBA history as the sixth player to achieve the remarkable milestone of 7,000 career points.

The Storm’s offensive efforts were further bolstered by Skylar Diggins-Smith’s 18 points, Erica Wheeler’s 15, and Gabby Williams’ 14 points along with eight assists. Defensively, Ezi Magbegor made a significant impact with nine points, 11 rebounds, and five crucial blocks.

The game itself was a testament to competitive basketball, featuring an astonishing 14 ties and 12 lead changes throughout regulation and both overtime periods. Such a dynamic ebb and flow kept fans enthralled, with neither team able to establish a comfortable advantage.

Key moments of tension included Plum’s three-point play in the fourth quarter, giving the Sparks their first lead since the initial period. Both teams then exchanged blows in the dying seconds of regulation and the first overtime, with Jackson’s late basket forcing the first extra session and Diggins-Smith tying the game with 18 seconds left in the first overtime, only for Plum to miss a potential game-winner at the buzzer.

This thrilling WNBA encounter will undoubtedly be remembered as a classic, highlighting the league’s growing intensity and the incredible talent on display. It was a true battle of wills, decided by a singular moment of clutch execution from Dearica Hamby, leaving fans eager for more high-stakes action this season.