Nneka Ogwumike becomes Sparks’ all-time scoring leader in loss
CHICAGO — Sydney Taylor hit four three-pointers and scored 19 points, and the Chicago Sky beat the Sparks 96-82 on Friday night as Nneka Ogwumike became the Sparks’ career scoring leader.
Ogwumike finished with 18 points to give her 7,703 in her career. She had 12 rebounds, moving past Candace Parker (3,467) into third on the WNBA’s career list with 3,472.
Kamilla Cardoso had 13 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks for Chicago (7-16), which avenged a 102-77 loss at L.A. last Friday. Natasha Cloud had 15 points and nine rebounds, Jacy Sheldon added 14 points, and Azura Stevens scored 12 points.
Dearica Hamby also scored 18 points for the Sparks (10-14), and Erica Wheeler added 14. The Sparks have lost the first three games of a four-game trip and eight of their last 11 overall.
Ogwumike scored 23 points Wednesday night in a 96-87 loss at Minnesota to tie the mark of 6,263 points set by Lisa Leslie. Ogwumike hit a short jumper about three minutes into the game Friday to break the record.
Picked No. 1 overall by the Sparks in 2012, Ogwumike, 36, returned to Los Angeles this season after spending the last two with Seattle.
Kelsey Plum, the Sparks’ other All-Star, missed her eighth straight game because of a leg injury. Chicago’s Skylar Diggins (knee) missed her fifth consecutive game.
The Sparks’ trip wraps up Sunday at Dallas (16-8).