Thompson sparks Storm over L.A.

LOS ANGELES — Tina Thompson reminded her hometown she can still play at age 38.

Thompson scored 23 points to lead the Seattle Storm to a 73-66 win against the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday.

Selected to a record ninth All-Star game as a replacement for the injured Brittney Griner, she also had a team-high eight rebounds and Tanisha Wright added 15 points as the Storm (7-10) snapped a seven-game losing streak to Los Angeles.

Thompson, who is retiring after this season, downplayed her final regular-season appearance here but acknowledged the pre-game ceremony honoring her.

“I totally appreciate it,” said Thompson, who grew up in L.A. and played at USC and for the Sparks from 2009-11.

“This is my hometown. This is where I grew up. All my family and friends are here. … I appreciated that and having the opportunity and (Sparks general manager) Penny (Toler) giving me the opportunity to come home and play here. It means a lot. It was a key part of my career.”

Candace Parker had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Sparks (12-6), who have lost two straight at home after a 19-game regular-season home winning streak, the second-longest in league history.

The Sparks, who lead the WNBA in field-goal percentage, shot a season-low 31 percent.

Parker said there was a lack of urgency in the final game before the All-Star break.

“I think we were very lax,” Parker said. “We just played like we knew we were going to come back like we did (last Saturday) in Seattle, and they came mad that we took it from them in Seattle. There’s not much difference between this game and the last game.

“We have to figure out, through this break, I hope, that we’re not always going to be able hit those shots and teams are going to make adjustments on us and we have to do the same.”

Thompson scored five straight points, on a left-handed hook and a three-point play, to give Seattle a 63-51 lead. She was fouled on a rebound and made the ensuing free throws to make it 66-61.

Camille Little scored on a left-handed shot in the paint and Thompson rebounded a Sparks miss after a timeout to effectively seal the win.

“She’ll not admit this,” Seattle coach Brian Agler said of Thompson. “She really likes our team but there was one reason she came to Seattle, and that was to have a chance to make a run at something with Sue (Bird) and Lauren (Jackson) and unfortunately that hasn’t worked out.

“But she’s sort of got a rejuvenated energy now sort of being the leader in a lot of ways on our team. She came back in a lot better shape this year than she was a year ago. I was happy. Inside, I think she was looking forward to coming back and playing one last time.”

Thompson and Wright each scored 11 points to lead Seattle to a 41-27 edge at halftime — the lowest-scoring first half by L.A. this season.

Thompson made three 3-pointers in the first 5:04 and scored 11 of Seattle’s first 17 points. Seattle had a 16-1 advantage in rebounds early in the second quarter and 23-7 at the half.

L.A. went on a 19-6 run in the third quarter capped by Jenna O’Hea’s 3-pointer that closed the deficit to 47-46. But Seattle scored six of the next eight points to finish the quarter.

Second-leading scorer Kristi Toliver was 4 for 9 from the field, which included a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

“They played her hard,” Sparks coach Carol Ross said. “She’s been a thorn in their side for most of her career. But for Toliver, it’s been a pretty tough row. Part of it is she’s a little banged up. At the same time, you have to give Seattle credit, they’ve done a great job guarding her.”

The Sparks lost consecutive regular season home games for the first time since Aug. 3-7, 2011.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

AquaSox’s Michael Arroyo makes a throw from second base during practice at Funko Field on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
AquaSox usher in new era with first practice of 2025

The 30-man roster, including eight top Mariners prospects, first took the field together on Tuesday.

Kaleo Anderson is The Herald's 2024-2025 Girls Basketball Player of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kaleo Anderson is The Herald’s 2024-25 Girls Basketball Player of the Year

The King’s junior guard averaged 23.9 points and nine rebounds in a state runner-up season.

Lake Stevens pitcher Charli Pugmire high fives first baseman Emery Fletcher after getting out of an inning against Glacier Peak on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep roundup for Tuesday, April 1

Vikings softball blows out Cascade.

Prep boys soccer roundup for Tuesday, April 1

Snohomish flurry of goals cools Stanwood.

Stanwood's Ellalee Wortham tries to make a one-handed layup during the game against Snohomish on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
3 players from Meadowdale, GP earn All-Wesco first-team honors.

Wesco has announced its all-league teams for girls basketball. Glacier Peak and… Continue reading

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 23-29

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 23-29. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Prep golf roundup for Tuesday, April 1

Lynnwood girls, Snohomish boys win

Auburn's Johni Broome celebrates after returning to the game after an injury and sinking a 3-point basket in the second half. (Daniel Mears / The Detroit News / Tribune News Services)
This March’s Cinderella stories are players, not teams

To find Cinderella stories at this men’s Final Four, you have to… Continue reading

Seattle coach Mike Macdonald looks on before the Seahawks take on the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL game on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Seahawks won 16-6. (Naji Saker / Tribune News Services)
Macdonald looks to double Seahawks joint practices

If their coach has his way, the Seahawks will be doing twice… Continue reading

Prep baseball roundup for Monday, March 31

Everett’s Brunni pitches near perfection.

Prep softball roundup for Monday, March 31

Stanwood’s Ruby Lopez runs by E-W.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.