Hayes scores 25 but Dream fall to Sparks

Tiffany Hayes has eight 20-point games this season. (Kelsey Bibik/Atlanta Dream)

Credit: Atlanta Dream

Credit: Atlanta Dream

Tiffany Hayes has eight 20-point games this season. (Kelsey Bibik/Atlanta Dream)

Brittney Sykes scored 17 points, Nneka Ogwumike had 15 points and 10 rebounds and the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Atlanta Dream 74-68 on Thursday night in College Park to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Tiffany Hayes led the Dream (8-23) with 25 points for her eighth 20-point game of the season. Courtney Williams had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Odyssey Sims scored 11 points.

Los Angeles (12-19) is in ninth place, a half-game behind the Washington Mystics for the final playoff spot. The Sparks close the regular season Sunday against Dallas. The Mystics play at New York on Friday and host Minnesota on Sunday.

The Dream play WNBA-leading Connecticut on Sunday to close their regular season. The Dream is 1 1/2 games ahead of last-place Indiana.

Te’a Cooper added 14 points and Nia Coffey had 10 for Los Angeles.