Sparks end season with a thud, despite displaying ‘admirable’ perseverance for much of it

LONG BEACH — A fair share of Sparks fans went to bed angry Sunday night after the Connecticut Sun torched their team, 78-56, to finish off the best-of-five semifinal sweep and end an otherwise resilient season with an ire-inspiring clang.
The Sparks incorporated five new players, a new coaching staff and went without key contributors — because of injury, an overseas commitment or suspension — for a combined 73 games. Still, they finished 22-12 to claim the third seed entering t