Syracuse in the WNBA: Brittney Sykes, L.A. Sparks drop final two games before Olympic break

Brittney Sykes, the sole Syracuse Orange representative in the WNBA this season, took the court last week for the Los Angeles Sparks (6-13). Sykes, a 2017 SU graduate, tallied 22 points and two steals in two games.

On Wednesday, the Sparks fell to the Seattle Storm (16-5) on the road, 71-62. Sykes recorded eight points and two steals in the loss.

LA shot 35.6% from the field and 21.1% from three. Erica Wheeler led all Sparks with 22 points.

Seattle shot 37.7% from the field and 25% from three. Syracuse native Breanna Stewart led the Storm with 27 points, while former Notre Dame star Jewell Loyd added 18 points.

On Sunday, Los Angeles suffered an 86-61 loss to the Minnesota Lynx (12-7) at home. Sykes contributed 14 points and a rebound in the contest.

The Sparks shot 36.7% from the field and 26.7% from three. Three LA players scored in double-figures, including Sykes (14 points), Wheeler (14), and Amanda Zahui B (10).

The Lynx shot 55.9% from the field and 47.4% from three. Four Minnesota players scored in double digits, including Napheesa Collier (27 points), Layshia Clarendon (14), Sylvia Fowles (10), and Bridget Carleton (10).

The Sparks sit at tenth in the league standings and are on a six-game losing streak heading into the month-long WNBA break for the Olympics. This break could not come at a better time for LA, allowing time for the Ogwumike sisters, Kristi Toliver, and Maria Vadeeva to return from injury.

The WNBA and the Sparks will return to action on August 15 in Los Angeles against the Indiana Fever (4-16) at 9:00 p.m. ET.