Sparks shorthanded fall to the Mercury

In the absence of Candice Parker, who missed tonights game due to personal reasons. Lisa Leslie scored 23 points, Betty Lennox added 18 as the Sparks ended their six game winning streak with a 98-90 lost to the Phonix Mercury Thursday night.

Tina Thompson had 17 points and Noelle Quinn added 12.

Leslie scored 15 first quarter points to give the Sparks a 34-19 advantage. Which was a season high point total for a quarter for the Sparks. But the Mercury used a 13-0 run to cut the score to 34-32 with 6 minutes and 54 seconds left in the second quarter.

Cappie Pondexter scored a game high 26 points and Diana Taurasi added 20 points.

The Sparks are 9-4 for this month, including 6-4 at home. They have six games remaining with four more at Staples Center. Starting point guard Kristi Harrower also missed the game due to person reason. So the Sparks operated with a short bench.

The Sparks play Connecticut Sunday at 6:30.