Two straight scoring sprees by Candace Parker have helped carry the Los Angeles Sparks.

Parker looks to continue her surge and lead the Sparks to a third straight win when they visit the Sacramento Monarchs on Thursday.

Los Angeles (12-6) lost three straight - with Parker averaging 15.7 points in that stretch - before she scored 31 in a 91-80 win over Phoenix on Sunday. The rookie superstar followed that up with a spectacular performance Wednesday, totaling a career-high 40 points and 16 rebounds in an 82-74 overtime victory over Houston.

"She's only getting better," Sparks coach Michael Cooper said of Parker. "I think she's starting to figure this league out, and she's starting to figure out how our team can function and evolve with her - not around her, but with her."

Parker made 15 of 23 shots from the floor Wednesday as she surpassed her 34-point WNBA debut - her previous career best. Her big night against Houston helped Los Angeles rally after trailing by as many as 13 points.

Los Angeles, which is playing its first road game since June 20 after completing a 4-3 homestand, is a league-best 5-2 in away contests.

The Monarchs (8-11) will try to avoid a season-high fourth straight loss. They have reached the playoffs in five straight seasons, but enter play Friday in last place in the West.

After Sacramento suffered its worst home loss of the season, 79-64 to Seattle on Tuesday, coach Jenny Boucek held a 25-minute, closed door meeting with her team.

"We just didn't play well in any area of the game," Boucek said. "Seattle played tough defense and that has not been their trademark over the years."

The Monarchs have lost seven of their last 10 games, a stretch that started with a 74-66 home defeat to Los Angeles on June 14. Sacramento led by 14 points after the first quarter of that matchup, but got outscored 43-22 in the second half.

This will be the 42nd meeting between Sacramento and Los Angeles. No teams in the WNBA have faced each other more.

"We're at home and we need to protect our home court, that's something that coach always tells us anyway," Monarchs rookie forward Crystal Kelly said. "And I think we owe them one anyway with them coming in and beating us the first game."

Parker - engaged to Sacramento Kings forward Shelden Williams - had team highs of 15 points and nine rebounds last month against the Monarchs.