Wings Lose At Sparks

Los Angeles center Candace Parker scored 31 points, including 25 in the second half to fuel a huge rally as the Sparks beat the visiting Dallas Wings 89-84 at Staples Center to keep the best record in the WNBA.

Parker — wearing orange shoes with “Rebound” written on them to honor her college coach, Tennessee’s Pat Summitt, who died Tuesday — added a season-high 13 rebounds. She also had a season-best seven assists.

Los Angeles (14-1) trailed 58-36 early in the third quarter but went on a 21-7 run over the last 7:25 of the period. The Sparks then scored the first six points of the final quarter, capped by Parker’s put-back basket with 8:01 left.

Parker made one of two free throws with 6:28 to go to give the Sparks their first lead of the game at 69-68.

Guard Skylar Diggins scored 29 points and had seven assists for Dallas, which dropped to 7-9 with its second consecutive loss. Diggins’ 3-pointer got the Wings within 85-80 with 1:14 to go, but Parker scored the next four points to ice the game.

The Sparks’ 14-1 record matches the best 15-game start in WNBA history.

Los Angeles forward Essence Carson scored 17 points, and Kristi Tolliver added 13.

Plenette Pierson scored 13 for the Wings. Glory Johnson and Karima Christmas each had 12, and Courtney Paris contributed 10 points.

Dallas made seven of its first eight shots and went on to its biggest halftime lead of the season — 53-34. Both teams finished the night shooting 48.6 percent from the floor.

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