Four of the Sparks’ starters scored in double figures, but it wasn’t enough. Dearica Hamby had a historic night as she grabbed her 341st rebound, breaking Lisa Leslie’s 20-year-old single-season franchise record and entering the Sparks’ top 10 list for career rebounds, but it still wasn’t enough.

The Sparks grabbed more rebounds than the Seattle Storm, scored more points in the penalty box and scored more points on second chances, but none of that was enough as the Sparks lost 90-82 in their penultimate home game of the season on Wednesday.

“It was a really, really well-played game,” Sparks coach Curt Miller said. “I think both teams adjusted to the physicality around the basket. The referees let a lot go tonight, but that made our game more fluid. I just thought it was a really good basketball game … it was a lot easier to go into the locker room tonight and talk to them about all the positive things we did.”

Rickea Jackson led the Sparks with 22 points, but it was the performances of two supporting players that really shone: Odyssey Sims, recently signed for the rest of the season, scored 16 points on 61% shooting from the field, along with six assists and three rebounds. And Azurá Stevens had another monster night, scoring 18 points and grabbing 15 rebounds for a total of 32 rebounds in 48 hours.

“I just think I play better when I’m not thinking and just being aggressive,” Stevens said. “I think that helps the team be more aggressive and it makes us all attack.”

The Sparks entered the fourth quarter trailing by six points, their largest. They’ve had a bad habit of letting the runs grow all season, but it seemed like they finally had an answer when a reverse layup by Jackson capped an 8-0 run to start the quarter and gave the Sparks the lead for the first time since halftime.

The teams traded baskets over the next few minutes, but a three-pointer from the corner by Sami Whitcomb put Seattle ahead 75-72 with just under six minutes left. The Sparks were able to get within one point, but a late sequence that included a fadeaway basket by Skylar Diggins-Smith and a turnover by Crystal Dangerfield that led to a fastbreak layup by former Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike pushed the lead to five points with just under two minutes left.

Two missed free throws by Rae Burrell in the last 90 seconds ended any hopes of a comeback for the Sparks.

Sims, who has been with the team for 10 years, says it’s a sign of growth for a young team like the Sparks to find themselves in situations like this.

“We have nothing to lose, so we control our effort,” she said. “Whether you play a lot of minutes or not, you have to go out there and give it your all. I think that’s more important because it trickles down, from one to 12. It’s contagious. … We have a young team, but you can see how good we can be.”

The Sparks (7-30) travel to Seattle (22-14) for a rematch on Sunday. They return to Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday for their home finale against the Phoenix Mercury.

This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.