CHICAGO — The Sparks have enjoyed a home-heavy schedule to open the season, but they’re having their troubles on the road and that could prove to be a significant hurdle for a team focused on ending its playoff drought.

Alanna Smith scored 18 points, Courtney Williams had her first career triple-double and the Chicago Sky beat the Sparks for the second straight game, 86-78, on Friday night.

Williams finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 13 assists to become the third player in franchise history with a triple-double. Williams was coming off a season-high 21 points on Wednesday in an 80-63 victory over the Sparks to help snap the Sky’s six-game losing streak.

Kahleah Copper added 17 points and Marina Mabrey scored 13 points of her 15 points in the first half for Chicago (7-9). Elizabeth Williams also scored 12 points for the Sky.

Nneka Ogwumike scored 14 points and Dearica Hamby had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Sparks (7-9), who dropped to 2-5 away from home and conclude their three-game trip on Sunday in Atlanta. Azura Stevens added 13 points, Karlie Samuelson had 11 and rookie Zia Cooke scored 10.

Chicago made 65% of its shots in the first half and scored the first 11 points after halftime to extend its lead to 54-38.

The Sparks trimmed the margin to 62-58 before the Sky scored the next seven points to take control. Smith made a 3-pointer with 3:32 left in the fourth for an 82-65 lead.

The Sparks shot 41.8% from the field (28 for 67) compared to the Sky’s 56.9% (37 for 65), but they made up some of that with a 13-point advantage at the free-throw line.

Sparks starter Jordin Canada played 16 minutes before sustaining a shoulder injury in the first half and did not return.

Chiney Ogwumike sat out with a foot injury and Lexie Brown missed another game with a non-COVID illness.

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