New-look Sparks fall to Atlanta in season opener

The new-look Sparks could not overcome an 11-0 run by the Atlanta Dream to start the fourth quarter and dropped their season opener, 92-81, in front of celebrities like Kim Kardashian (WNBA SKIMS partnership) and team owner Magic Johnson on Wednesday night at Long Beach State's Walter Pyramid. The score was tied at 66 through three quarters, but Atlanta seized control with its pivotal 11-0 run for a 77-66 lead with 6:29 left. The Sparks cut Atlanta's lead to 87-81 on rookie forward Cameron Brink's 3-pointer with 1:34 remaining, but they missed their last four shots and had a critical turnover while Atlanta went 5 for 6 from the foul line to ice the win.