LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Sparks center Liz Cambage scored early and often with nine of her 19 points in the first quarter, as LA beat the Phoenix Mercury 78-75 at Crypto.com Arena on Monday.

The Sparks won their third consecutive game to improve to 10-11 under interim head coach Fred Williams.

“I’m really proud for us for just staying together because that first month could have really seen teams go the other way,” Sparks center Liz Cambage said. “We just want to be the best we can be individually and as a team. We want to see everyone be the best they can be as well… I’ve never had communication on a team like this before. Positive communication, reinforcing that we’re doing everything right, I just love hooping with these ladies.

“I’m happy we’re on a little (winning) streak and I’m ready to keep it rolling all of July.”

The Sparks trailed 20-18 after the first quarter but Sparks all-star forward Nneka Ogwumike scored nine of her eleven first half points in the second quarter, propelling LA to a 38-28 lead with 2:54 left before halftime. Ogwumike finished with a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Mercury (9-14) were without all-star center Brittney Griner, who has missed the entire 2022 WNBA season, after being arrested on Feb. 17 on charges of possessing cannabis oil while returning to play for a professional women’s basketball team in Russia.

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However, Phoenix battled back and cut the Sparks lead to two at halftime, 42-40.

The Sparks frontcourt Ogwumike and Cambage continued their strong play inside, as LA carried a 56-54 lead into the fourth quarter.

Cambage played 28 minutes but Williams said he can see a scenario where with improved stamina, the 6-foot-9 center plays between up to 32 minutes per game.

“I think to have four post players in there that share minutes. Liz should be around that 28 to 32 mark by All-Star break,” Williams shared.

LA Sparks interim coach Fred Williams told me he was aware that Liz Cambage was plus 16 at halftime, when the Sparks led 42-40. @CoachFredW wants to see @ecambage consistently playing 28 to 32 minutes per game for the Sparks after the WNBA All-Star break. @LASparks #WNBATwitter pic.twitter.com/x88pt0kLjh

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 5, 2022

Meanwhile, Ogwumike scored her 18th point, with a nice step-through layup that put the Sparks up 61-54 with 8:40 left in the game. However, back-to-back threes by the Mercury’s Shey Peddy and Sophie Cunningham made it 61-60 with eight minutes to go, forcing the Sparks to call timeout.

Down the stretch, LA and Phoenix traded baskets but ultimately Sparks starting lineup of Jordin Canada, who scored 11, Lexie Brown who scored 14, Katie Lou Samuelson who scored 10, Ogwumike who scored 23 and Cambage who scored 19, scored 76 of the team’s 78 points, proving to be too much for the Mercury.

“I think that awareness is what stands out and us coming out with intention, with purpose,” Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike said. “I think that is something that we’re getting much better at, making the first punch… that clicking and that resonating on both ends of the court I think is what really stands out. I also really love the communication between, not just the starters but the whole team.

“When we’re out there, we’re all seeking what’s working. Let’s get Lexie a shot, let’s get Katie Lou this, people are trying to make the right play and I think that is the mark of a team that you want to play on.”

I had to wish Nneka Ogwumike happy birthday before asking the 7-time All-Star to break down what’s working for the Los Angeles Sparks on their 3-game winning streak. @nnekaogwumike @LASparks #WNBATwitter #MVPOgwumike pic.twitter.com/Wdn5MVANFc

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 5, 2022

Meanwhile, Williams knew his team was going to be shorthanded in the backcourt against the Mercury with guards Kristi Toliver, Brittney Sykes and Chennedy Carter on the injury report.

Williams used 6-foot-3 forward Katie Lou Samuelson as a big guard for spurts but ultimately he knew the game would come down to the heart of his players.

“You have to dig down, get it up and play,” Williams said before the game.

The Sparks starting backcourt of guards Jordin Canada and Lexie Brown, responded to Williams, by playing a combined 71 out of a possible 80 minutes.

Phoenix Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard, a former WNBA player and LA Spark, told me it is a dream come true to coach at Staples Center, which is now known as @cryptocomarena. @PhoenixMercury #WNBATwitter pic.twitter.com/EKZe31GmeY

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 4, 2022

“ When I was a kid, I watched the games in The Forum,” began Mercury first-year head coach Vanessa Nygaard, a former LA Spark, who was most recently the head girls basketball coach at Winward High School in Los Angeles before taking over in Phoenix. “So I remember as a player my first couple of years in the league getting to play in The Forum and looking up and seeing the ceiling of The Forum I thought that was it but as a coach being able to coach in (Crypto.com Arena) is definitely a dream come true.

“It’s really extra surreal for me coaching against Jordin Canada who I’ve known since she was 12 years old… regardless of the results of the game, it really is a dream come true for me as a coach.”

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Phoenix was led by Skylar Diggins-Smith who scored 22 points. Diana Taurasi had 13 points.

The Sparks will host the Seattle Storm on Thursday, July 7 at 7:30 p.m. It will be their third game of a seven-game homestand.

I’m breaking down the LA Sparks 78-75 win at home against the Phoenix Mercury. Nneka Ogwumike and Liz Cambage combined for 42 points and @LASparks starting 5 of Jordin Canada, Lexie Brown, Katie Lou and Nneka and Liz scored 76 of the team’s 78 points. #WNBATwitter #TheSparkReport pic.twitter.com/CcZoX5jnbc

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 5, 2022