Written By: Molly Tepper
Twitter: mollytepper

(Los Angeles, CA) On Thursday night, after the announcement of Nneka Ogwumike’s retirement, the Los Angeles Sparks (12-24) rough patch continued as they dropped one of their worst blowouts of the season to the Atlanta Dream (23-13), by a final score of 124-88. The 124 points were the highest total in Atlanta Dream franchise history and just one short of the WNBA record for a regulation game (125).

LA converted the first layup of the game, and then never took the lead again. Sloppy early choices, including missing easy layups on the Dream’s minimal turnovers and committing nine turnovers of their own by the end of the first, limited them to just 12 points in the quarter. They shot 31% from the field, and the struggles continued as they were unable to box out on Atlanta’s free throws. As Madina Okot missed her second free throw, Allisha Gray grabbed the offensive rebound as no Sparks players attempted to rebound, and Jordin Canada banked in a three, putting the Dream up 28-9. Rhyne Howard knocked down two more three-pointers, including one at the buzzer, to put them ahead 34-12 at the end of the first period.

Problems continued for Los Angeles as Angel Reese erupted in the second quarter. After scoring 10 points in the first four minutes, Reese would go on to score 20 points for the game, going 9-for-9 from the field and 2-for-2 from three, with ten rebounds and eight assists. Reese became the third player in WNBA history to have a 20-10 double-double with perfect field goal shooting (9-for-9), while the last player to do it was LA’s own Nneka Ogwumike. Additionally, her three offensive rebounds in the first half broke her own WNBA season record of 172 set in 2024.

Coach Lynne Roberts on Angel Reese:

“There’s always a lot of narrative about Angel, but man, she competes, and she plays so hard, and I respect the hell out of that. Even when she wasn’t in the game, she’s the loudest on the bench, and she’s a competitor. I just have a lot of respect for that.”

While the Sparks were able to regain some of their momentum from off the bench, they continued to struggle with errant passes and were never able to overcome the hole they dug themselves in the first quarter. The Dream shot an impressive 62% from three (16-26), and that almost perfect shooting set a tone LA could never climb back from.

A bright spot came off the bench from the play of Tonie Morgan and Chance Gray, who had eight points apiece. Nonetheless, it was not enough to close the gap against a Dream team that was doing everything right.

Chance Gray spoke about the different roles she’s played this season:

“Honestly, I look at it as a positive, being able to be utilized in different ways. I think that can be something that can help the team. So I’m ready to do whatever the team needs me to do in that moment, whether it’s be on the ball, just be a defender, be a spot-up shooter. I just try to play for my teammates, my coaches, as hard as I can, and that’s what I like to do.”

Coach Lynne Roberts commemorated the Dream’s night:

“I do want to give Atlanta Credit. They were good tonight, and their shooting to maintain that three-point shooting in about 40 minutes is impressive. They were really good, and so sometimes you just have to take it on the chin and turn the page.”

The Sparks will remain at home on Saturday to take on the Connecticut Sun at 6 p.m.

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Written By: Molly Tepper
Twitter: mollytepper

The Los Angeles Sparks (12-23) dropped all three games on their road trip, and each defeat pointed to the same issue: closing games. On Thursday, August 13th, against the New York Liberty (21-14), LA erased a 28-point deficit and was in position to match the biggest comeback in league history before ultimately losing the game 85-81. Two days later, against the Washington Mystics (20-14), heading into the third quarter, the Sparks were up by three, yet they were held to only 12 points in the fourth, allowing the Mystics to cruise to an 80-70 victory. In the finale against the Connecticut Sun (9-25), LA never got within striking distance nor took the lead, falling 85-77. Despite the different ways they have lost, the issue remains consistent. The Sparks can build runs throughout the game, but are unable to sustain them down the stretch.

In last Thursday’s game, the Sparks were outscored 18-9 in the third quarter and, early in the fourth, were down 69-41. Most assumed it would be an easy victory for the Liberty. However, Los Angeles went on a 21-0 run, dominated by Rae Burrell, who contributed 11 of those points and finished with 20 of her 28 in the fourth quarter alone. With less than 30 seconds left on the clock, the Sparks were down by one possession. A shot from downtown would tie the game and put the Sparks in position to tie the Chicago Sky for the biggest comeback in league history. A reverse layup by Burrell put the Sparks within one; however, Sabrina Ionescu made both her free throws, extending New York’s lead to three once again. With the final possession to tie the game, Ariel Atkins missed a three-pointer, forcing the Sparks to foul Ionescu, which ultimately sealed the game.

Post-game, Coach Lynne Roberts talked about the inconsistency problems this year:

“I know what this team is capable of. I know their hearts and their minds are in the right place. They want to win. They want to do things right, so it’s not them going rogue or doing their own thing. They’re all connected; it’s just sometimes we are inconsistent in the intensity. And for us to be a great team, great teams have to be consistent. You can miss shots. You can have a bad shooting night. But you’ve got to be consistent in your intensity, and that’s something we are still working on.”

In their next matchup in D.C., a tight possession battle kept the first quarter close. A few minutes into the second quarter, however, the Mystics went on an 11-2 run, pushing their lead to 35-26. The Sparks closed the gap to two by halftime, thanks to threes from Erica Wheeler and Burrell. With three minutes to go in the third, LA led by nine. However, the Mystics went on an 8-0 run, and the Sparks were only up 58-55 to close the quarter.

Coach Roberts on being unable to run away with the lead in the third:

“In the third quarter, I thought defensively we were great. We just didn’t convert. I felt like we were getting good looks; it was just kind of unlucky. That’s what I thought allowed them to get back in it is we had control of the game, and we just didn’t convert. I thought we had a chance to really pull away or get a more comfortable lead, but it just sometimes bounces that way.”

In the last six minutes of the game, Shakira Austin made a layup, putting the Mystics up by one for the first time since the half. Sonia Citron would go on to collect seven points, including a clutch three-pointer that put D.C. up 74-69 and pushed their momentum to close it out with a 9-1 run.

In their final game on the road, the Sparks were without Erica Wheeler, Cameron Brink, and Monique Akoa Makani due to injury. The Sparks never had a lead to enhance as they trailed the entire game. The Sun controlled the match from the opening basket, leading by as many as 21. Connecticut went on continuous runs, as LA spent the entire night chasing that lead. Through the three-game trip, the Sparks were unable to find a way to close out the game or make a big run, ultimately contributing to their poor record.

Coach Roberts is looking past the final minutes to the process ahead. In the post-game after the loss to the Mystics, she said:

“It’s another learning experience, another game that we continue. The problem will be if we stop learning and stop fighting like that. We’ve had different lineups. We have had to get creative with just injuries and not having Cam and not having Mo. We’ve had to call on people that need to be ready, and they’ve done a good job. We just have to keep chopping, and if these guys continue to show up the way they’re doing and giving us everything they got, then I’m cool with it. The outcome takes care of itself.”

The Sparks will return to LA for a four-game homestand, taking on the Atlanta Dream on Thursday at 7 p.m.

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The WNBA Playoffs begin at the end of September, but we essentially already know which eight teams will compete for the championship. Only the Seattle Storm and the Connecticut Sun have officially been eliminated from the postseason, but that reality will hit the other five teams by month's end.

Realistically, the Portland Fire are the only team that could sneak in, but it would still be a major uphill climb. The Fire sit in 9th place in the WNBA standings with a 15-20 record. They are 5.0 games behind the Dallas Wings for the final playoff spot. Both Dallas and Portland have nine games remaining. If the Fire were to win out, they’d finish 24-20 and win the season series against the Wings. That means Dallas would have to finish 5-4 to reach 25-19 and clinch the playoffs. But with every Portland loss, Dallas can give away another game. If Portland goes 9-1, Dallas can finish 4-5. If Portland finishes 8-2, the Wings can finish 3-6. You get the point. The numbers don’t favor the team from Oregon.

Assuming no miraculous finishes or complete collapses, the eight WNBA playoff teams will be: Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, and the Dallas Wings. As of this writing, that is the order they sit in the standings.

What will be interesting is seeing which of these eight teams finishes in the Top 4. The four best teams of the regular season all get home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Where things stand, all eight teams could finish in the Top 4. Even though the Dallas Wings have had a rough go as of late (3-7 in their last 10), they’re still just 3.0 games out of the 4th seed. But from a practical standpoint, I can’t picture them or the Washington Mystics (20-14) moving all the way up to the fourth spot.

On the opposite end, the Minnesota Lynx (29-7) have been the best team all year long and hold a 3.5-game advantage over the current second seed, the Golden State Valkyries (24-9). With just eight games remaining, if the Lynx finish 6-2, they will clinch the #1 overall seed. For every game the Valkyries lose out of their remaining 11, that’s one fewer win Minnesota needs. The Lynx are a lock for a Top 4 seed. They’re 5.5 games ahead of the current 4th seed, the Indiana Fever (23-12).

The Valkyries are likely to finish as a Top 4 seed as well. They’re 3.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Dream (the 5th seed) with 11 games to play. But they also have the fourth-easiest schedule remaining. They play seven of their remaining 11 games against non-playoff teams. However, they still have some challenges ahead, as they will have to battle the Minnesota Lynx twice (a team they’ve never beaten) and the New York Liberty.

Next up is the Las Vegas Aces. They own the third-best record at 24-12 and have eight games remaining. The Aces have the easiest remaining schedule in the league. They play one playoff team in their last eight games. They face the league-worst Seattle Storm (7-30) twice in September. They also play the Toronto Tempo, who have lost 10 straight, twice as well. As winners of three out of the last four WNBA titles, Las Vegas is battle-tested, has the superstars, and the veteran experience to close out the regular season strong. Last year, they ended the season on a 16-game win streak.

If those three teams all clinch a Top 4 seed, that leaves just one more spot to be battled over between three other teams. The Indiana Fever currently hold the 4th seed with a 23-12 record. They have nine games remaining, and five of them are against playoff teams. That includes two against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx. On Sunday, they picked up a huge 95-91 OT victory over the 5th-seeded Atlanta Dream.

The Atlanta Dream (21-13) and the New York Liberty (22-14) both have a chance to sneak into a Top 4 seed. Atlanta has 10 games remaining, with four games against playoff teams. The Liberty have just eight games left on their schedule, but it’s the second-most difficult in the WNBA. New York will battle Minnesota, Golden State, Indiana, and Atlanta twice. It might be difficult for them to move up, especially because Leonie Fiebich and Satou Sabally remain out with injuries. Of the teams that have a legit chance, they have the hardest path to get there.

I think realistically, it’ll come down to Indiana and Atlanta. Those two teams would then face each other in the playoffs if they finish 4th and 5th. The Fever beat the Dream in the first round of the playoffs in 2025. It would be an exciting matchup because the two teams split the season series 2-2. And there would certainly be a little extra drama as it would be the WNBA’s first playoff matchup between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

With that said, I wouldn’t rule out the Fever moving up in the standings either. With their big win on Sunday, Indiana is only 1/2 game behind Las Vegas for the third seed. They’ve also been one of the hottest teams in the league since July 1st. They’ve won 12 out of their last 16 games, and are 8-2 in their last 10.

My prediction is that the Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, and Indiana Fever will earn home court advantage. We might see the Aces move to the two-seed or the Fever supplant the Aces over these final games. I believe the eventual 2026 WNBA champion comes from this group and, more specifically, either Minnesota, Las Vegas, or Indiana.

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Written By: Danny Williams
Twitter: danny_w22

Alex Sarama comes from a unique coaching background. The 31-year-old coach grew up in the United Kingdom, a country not necessarily known for its basketball prowess. So it is only fitting that the head coach’s practice philosophy also comes from a unique background.

Constraint-led approach (CLA) prioritizes uncertainty over repetition. It puts players in the mindset that every shot, play, and possession presents itself differently every time. Instead of practicing the same shot or play over and over with the same parameters, Sarama preaches preparing for real-game scenarios where unexpected variables arise, and his players must be ready for them.

Whether it’s shooting with a different-sized ball or from a different angle, the players adapt to unforeseen conditions that simulate the pressures of a real game atmosphere.

“When you have your shooting routines as a great shooter, it can be hard to come out of that sometimes and then adapt to doing something very different every single practice, and that’s what we’re really trying to do,” Sarama said. “For all our players, the shooting practice is going to be different every single day, and the way I view that, I don’t think it’s anything too radical.”

So far in 2026, the Fire have surpassed expectations, holding the ninth-best record in the league this season at 14-20 on the back of their head-man’s philosophy. However, the strategy only works if the players are bought in, and with just 10 games remaining in the regular season, it appears that the players have taken this strategy in stride.

Sarama first heard of CLA at the Future of Sport Coaching Summit in the United Kingdom eight years ago. At that point, the strategy had only been seen sparingly in sports such as soccer and field hockey – no mention of basketball.

From there, the then 23-year-old rose up the coaching ranks, from youth coach in Belgium and Italy to eventual NBA assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers, perfecting the strategy.

Sarama credits Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson with learning how to implement CLA into a professional atmosphere and having the players' buy-in. Atkinson adopted the strategy and convinced NBA superstar and 17-year veteran James Harden to buy into the unique philosophy.

“I learned a lot from Coach Atkinson. I think Kenny [Atkinson] is one of the biggest proponents of CLA,” Sarama said. “It’s why he’s in player development. The reason he’s the best in the NBA, in my opinion, is because he’s so educated with [CLA], but not only that, the way he pitches it to players, [he] never needs to use complex words.”

No Fire player has seemingly benefited more from CLA than Bridget Carleton. Carleton, only two years younger than Sarama, is now in her eighth season in the league after being selected 21st overall in the 2019 Draft. After adopting CLA, the eight-year veteran has experienced a career renaissance.

Carleton has seen a leap in a plethora of categories in 2026. 14.7 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, and 2.8 three-pointers made per game are all career highs. Even with the increased usage (30.4 minutes per game), Carleton has posted the best efficiency of her career.

“It’s historical, the jump she has made. If people start diving into the records, Carleton is one of six players in league history where her usage has doubled at this rate, and the incredible thing is she’s actually more efficient than she was in Minnesota.” Sarama said.

Carleton is the most obvious beneficiary of the coaching strategy, but the team as a whole has also reaped the rewards greatly. The Fire rank fourth in three-pointers made and sixth in percentage, with six players shooting over 35% from distance.

Although the Fire still have some improving to do before it wants to be a perennial contender in the league, the blueprint is in place. Sarama’s unique style gives a young, up-and-coming team an identity and a sense of togetherness, knowing it can handle any situation that is thrown its way.

“We’ve only glimpsed the surface and the potential; it’s very, very early days, but I think there are more conversations about what [CLA] is. I think there are a lot of misconceptions as to what it looks like, but I’m really pleased to see how much our players support it.” Sarama said.

Written By: Molly Tepper
Twitter: mollytepper

(Los Angeles, CA) In their fourth and final matchup of the regular season, the Los Angeles Sparks (12-20) fell to the Phoenix Mercury (13-22) in a closely contested battle, 94-87. Neither team was able to break away as the game featured 12 ties and 16 lead changes. Poor offensive looks and an inability to convert against the Mercury’s fourth-quarter zone continued to hamper the Sparks down the stretch as they dropped their 20th game in a season that has had no shortage of difficult finishes.

In the pre-game, Coach Lynne Roberts talked about how they were going to have to play differently against the Mercury this time around:

“What crushed us last time was the threes and just not communicating on different actions. We’ve got to clean that up, which we can. And then if [DeWanna Bonner] does end up inside, then we’re gonna have to rotate and do some things.”

In a closely matched first quarter, the Mercury shot 50% from the field, but the Sparks answered with efficient defensive rebounding and smart shot selection in the paint. Off the bench, Cameron Brink had three of the Sparks’ 12 rebounds. On the final possession of the first period, Brink grabbed a defensive board, then ran the floor, collected an offensive rebound, and made a game-tying layup to end the quarter at 23-23.

Brink opened the second quarter with defensive pressure on Kahleah Copper. However, she fell into foul trouble quickly. In recent games, Brink has gotten into foul trouble early, limiting her impact late in the game. So this time, she was pulled early in the second quarter to keep her foul total in check. Thankfully, Burrell was active, and in the final possession of the half, she made a steal and layup on the other end of the court, ending the half with seven points to put the Sparks ahead 47-44. LA’s defense looked consistent as they held Phoenix’s star players DeWanna Bonner, Kahleah Copper, and Alyssa Thomas to only 15 points combined. However, the Sparks’ troubles came from their 15 personal fouls in the first half.

Coming out of the half, problems began to strike as Copper, after a quiet four points in the first half, drove in the paint, cashing 11 points in just the third quarter. As the fourth quarter began, the Sparks trailed by one. In this tight contest, every possession mattered, and in the end, the Sparks did not capitalize on every one of them. Poor looks on offense and sloppy turnovers in crunch time ultimately led to LA’s demise. Phoenix’s Noemie Brochant, who scored a career-high 24 points, made a bucket from downtown, and an easy layup by Thomas put the Mercury up by five. LA had a few more chances to tie the game back up, but they were ultimately handed another loss, 94-87.

Coach Lynne Roberts discussed in the post-game what went wrong in the fourth quarter:

“They went to zone, and we just kind of stopped moving it. We got a little unsure. Zone offense isn’t rocket science. You just got to move the ball. We didn’t shoot well, obviously. We had 14 more shot attempts than them.”

The Sparks will head out on a three-game road trip. On their first stop, they will take on the New York Liberty (20-14) on Thursday, August 13th at 5 p.m.

Final Box Score

Photography Credits: LA Sparks/WNBA Photography

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Written By: Molly Tepper
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(Los Angeles, CA) After defeating the number-one team on the road, the Los Angeles Sparks (12-19) had to come home to take on another challenge: the number-two team in the league. The Golden State Valkyries (23-9) came in with a three-game winning streak and were hungry for more. After a rocky first three quarters, the Sparks were able to cut most of the Valkyries’ 19-point lead in the fourth. Despite coming within one possession of Golden State, LA was unable to make the final push, falling 84-78.

Coach Lynne Roberts pre-game on the difficulty of playing the Valkyries:

“Defense is their calling card, and they’re a team where if you get into a situation where you’re trying to go one-on-one, you’re going to lose. Their defense, their rotations are really on point. So you have to make a move.”

Out of the gate, the Sparks struggled. Due to an inability to keep up with the Valkyries’ fast-paced offense and a lack of ball movement on their own end, the Sparks were held to just 15 points in the first quarter. With only two starters putting points on the board and the team shooting a rough 40% from the field, the Sparks had their work cut out for them if they wanted to avoid a blowout.

Coming into the second quarter, Los Angeles had too many turnovers and not enough defensive rebounds. A bright spot came from Kiana Williams, who scored 10 points off the bench, keeping LA alive. Nonetheless, the Sparks were still shooting below 40% from the field and from downtown, and none of their starters were in double digits.

The rough patch continued as the third quarter came to a close, but Crypto Arena came alive down the stretch in the fourth. Rae Burrell collected her first points of the game with back-to-back layups. LA went on an 8-0 run, cutting the deficit to single digits by attacking the rim and forcing Golden State into turnovers with relentless defensive pressure. Nneka Ogwumike continued to be a playmaker, assisting shot after shot. A bucket from downtown by Ariel Atkins put the Sparks within one. However, the Valkyries had an answer. Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaün came up with clutch shots down the stretch, never allowing the Sparks to take over and ultimately delivering Golden State the win, 84-78.

In the post-game, Lynne Roberts talked about what changed in the fourth:

“We were trying to get Rae going. Trying to get her speed going downhill. Against Golden State, you’re going to have a hard time attacking from the wings. You got to do it in the middle. I think, defensively, we were playing with urgency. And we got to start games with that same level of urgency.”

The Sparks will stay at home to take on the Phoenix Mercury (12-22) for the last time this season on Tuesday, August 11th at 7 p.m. This also marks the return of All-Star guard Kelsey Plum, in her first game back in Los Angeles since she was traded to Phoenix at the deadline.

Final Box Score

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Written By: Molly Tepper
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The Los Angeles Sparks (12-18) are 3-7 in their last ten games. From depth issues caused by injury, poor defensive rotations, and turnovers, the trade deadline departure of five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum was the icing on the cake of a rough stretch for LA.

Despite the tribulations, three positive takeaways emerged out of the All-Star break that tell a different story. While this season is not about what the Sparks have been continuously missing, it is about what they are finding in the wake of the future.

In their first game out of the All-Star Break, the Sparks took on Breanna Stewart and an experienced Liberty (20-13) team. Although they came up short, the Sparks shot 60% from the field and had 35 assists. Yet, New York’s deep roster, including 41 points off the bench and crucial threes in the fourth, sealed the game 113-109.

Despite the loss, there was a bright spot in the form of a 6’2” guard from the University of Tennessee. Fifth-year guard Rae Burrell dropped 24 points and led the Sparks on the defensive end, including four steals versus the Liberty.

Burrell’s improvement can be seen directly in her scoring. From the beginning of her professional career in 2022, Burrell’s scoring average has increased from 1.7 points per game as a rookie to 13.3 points so far in 2026, a career high. She is also shooting her best from the field, 46%, and has nearly doubled her assist numbers. For a Sparks team that has had to lean so heavily on its veterans like Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler, Burrell’s year-to-year growth exemplifies why she has become such a vital player as well as someone to watch going forward.

After the loss to the Liberty, head coach Lynne Roberts praised Rae Burrell:

“Rae was phenomenal. Attacking, and a couple of times she had a turnover, she got both of them back. That’s winning basketball. We didn’t get the reward of the win, but I am proud of the team.”

Then came the trade deadline. The talks of trading Kelsey Plum came to fruition on August 2nd, sending the All-Star guard to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for second-year guard Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick. In a seemingly lost season, the Sparks cashed in on their biggest asset.

Building a team with strong starters that need more depth and playmakers means getting younger and finding cost-controlled players who can continue to grow into bigger roles. Rae Burrell perfectly encapsulates just that. In a season without a clear path to the playoffs, Plum was most likely not going to re-sign with the Sparks in the offseason. Thus, turning her into two future draft picks and a young guard sets Los Angeles up for the next few years.

All the trade talk noise meant nothing to the Sparks once the ball tipped against the Portland Fire. That evening, they snapped their six-game losing streak 106-101. LA had 30+ assists in back-to-back games as well as 16 three-pointers made back-to-back.

Depth on the bench has been a continuous problem for Los Angeles this season. The Sparks fell 95-88 to the Chicago Sky (12-19), but the loss came with a real sign of life from Cameron Brink and Jihyun Park off the bench. Brink, still working back into a rhythm after injury, put together 11 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in 14 minutes. Park added seven points, going 2-of-3 from three, giving the Sparks another shooting option to space the floor.

Coach Lynne Roberts highlighted Park’s recent impact after the game:

“JP’s been great. I think what you’re seeing with her now is her finding more of a rhythm and flow in her game. She’s very, very smart. She always seems to be in the right place at the right time. She just wants to win, and she comes in prepared. Just a true professional. We’re lucky to have her.”

In a back-to-back road game against the Minnesota Lynx (25-7), who had not lost a game since July 6th, the Sparks pulled all their bright spots together for a huge upset, winning 89-82. Persistent defense, forcing the Lynx into late-clock shots, combined with fluid offense, including a 17-point performance from Burrell, pushed the Sparks to victory. The star of the game came from off the bench, as Cameron Brink put up her best outing of the stretch with 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. Her size against Naphessa Collier and her discipline to avoid foul trouble defined the game. Monique Akoa Makani added seven points, including multiple clutch field goals down the stretch, fueling LA’s 8-0 run to end the game.

Lynne Roberts on the perseverance of the team:

“Cam was phenomenal. Difference maker. And then I think Monique was tremendous. She’s been with us for four days, and she played down the stretch in the final minutes. I’m really proud of this group. The way we’ve just kind of kept on business and the way we responded to last night- back-to-backs are tough, and our players showed tremendous toughness and fortitude, and I think that’s the thing I’m most pleased with.”

Despite the Sparks’ poor record, there is plenty more to look forward to in the last six weeks of the season. The continued development of Burrell, Brink, and the rest of the bench gives the veterans a chance to rest more and thus play to their full potential. That combination brings a sense of stability and confidence to push LA through the rest of their season.

The Sparks will return home to take on the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday, August 9th at 4 p.m.

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On Sunday, the WNBA trade deadline came and went. There was no major last-minute trade right before the noon deadline. But the biggest rumored trade did take place late on Saturday night. The Los Angeles Sparks traded five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury. In return, the Mercury sent Monique Akoa Makani, their 2027 first-round pick, and their 2028 second-round pick to the Sparks.

It’s an interesting trade, and frankly, I think Los Angeles probably comes out looking better from the move. Which might seem odd at first glance. The Sparks traded away a five-time All-Star, who was averaging 23.9 PPG, 2.2 RPG, and 6.4 APG, for two draft picks and a player who averages 9.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, and 2.5 APG. But if the reports were accurate that Plum wasn’t going to re-sign with Los Angeles, it was best for them to get as much back in a return as possible instead of losing her for nothing. KP was going to be an Unrestricted Free Agent, and couldn’t be cored with the “franchise tag”. Los Angeles, with a 10-17 record, entering Sunday, was unlikely to reach the playoffs.

If Plum was traded to a playoff contender like Golden State, New York, or Washington, that probably would have made a bit more sense. It’s a larger risk for the Mercury (11-19), who are six games behind the Liberty for the 8th seed and final playoff spot (technically seven games because New York won the season series). It’s a risk because a report from ESPN’s Alexa Philappou says that Plum still fully intends to engage in Free Agency next offseason and did not commit to re-signing with Phoenix before the trade went down. It’s up to the Mercury as an organization to impress Plum enough to convince her that she is better off staying in Phoenix long-term than signing with a different team in 2027. Phoenix has 14 games remaining this season, and they will do everything they can in those 14 games to convince Plum they can build a contender around her, Alyssa Thomas, and Kahleah Copper. If Plum does ultimately re-sign with the Mercury, then the risk of making this trade pays off big time. One can argue that if she does, it would swing the momentum back to Phoenix as far as which franchise “won” the trade.

For Los Angeles, it feels like a win no matter what. It was very unlikely that even if Plum returned to the lineup and they won some games, they still weren’t going to make the playoffs. If she had already told the organization she wasn’t going to re-sign, then they were smart to get anything in return. And the return they got is pretty good, actually. Monique Akoa Makani may not be a superstar or even an all-star, but she’s on a team-friendly contract through 2027, and she becomes a Reserved free agent in 2028. Reserved free agents are basically team-option contracts. If they want the player, that player must re-sign for one more year with the team. Unlike restricted free agents, reserve free agents can only sign a deal with their existing team, unless that team renounces their rights. So they will have Makani for two more years after this season.

The Sparks are also likely to get a lottery pick from Phoenix with that 2027 first-round pick. As I mentioned above, the Mercury are 11-19 and essentially seven games out of a playoff spot with 14 to play. Unless Phoenix finishes something like 13-1 or 12-2, they probably aren’t making the playoffs. Since LA also isn’t likely to make the playoffs, that means the Sparks will probably end up with two lottery picks.

The only downside to that is that, because of the two-year records for both LA and Phoenix, those picks are almost certainly going to be in the five to seven range. Unless they get crazy luck in the draft lottery, they won’t be landing JuJu Watkins or another top player, but the draft seems deep enough that they can still select two quality players to help rebuild the team around.

Aneesah Morrow is Sent to Toronto

The only other major trade took place a couple of days earlier as the Connecticut Sun sent Aneesah Morrow to the Toronto Tempo in exchange for Maria Kliundikova and a future second-round pick in 2028. As I wrote about in my previous article before the Trade Deadline, the entire Aneesah Morrow situation in Connecticut was confusing. She missed some games, some maybe with an injury, but others seemed to be just a coach’s decision. But then, when she did play, she’d put up impressive numbers (she’s averaging nearly 12 PPG and 9 RPG). I don’t know if it was a defensive issue, an attitude issue, or something else, but it felt like the Sun got rid of her without getting a ton in return.

Maria Kliundikova has been a solid backup big, but she also hasn’t played in the WNBA in 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2026. It doesn’t seem to be a priority for her, so it’s unclear if she’s going to play in Houston next season when the Sun move from Connecticut to Texas. If she doesn’t come over to play in the WNBA, then the Sun essentially traded Morrow, the former Top 10 pick, for a second-round pick in 2028. Which may not even make the final roster. I don’t really like the trade from the Sun’s perspective.

Surprisingly Staying Put

Maybe the biggest surprise was that Betnijah Laney-Hamilton didn’t get moved. I would have thought maybe New York could have traded her for a second-round or at least a third-round pick. Laney-Hamilton hasn’t looked great, even when she has played, but she was a key piece to the Liberty’s 2024 Championship team. Clearly, something is wrong because she has been stuck at the end of the bench for New York. Many speculated that she was definitely going to be traded and needed a fresh start, but that didn’t happen.

Similar to Laney-Hamilton, I was also a bit surprised that we didn’t see Skylar Diggins get traded. Skylar clearly hasn’t been happy in Chicago. And she hasn’t played since the Sky’s Coach, Tyler Marsh, decided to bench her in favor of Courtney Vandersloot and Natasha Cloud. The Sky don’t really need Skylar because of those other point guards. It’s possible that Diggins is legitimately injured and can’t play right now. It’s also possible that no other team had any interest in bringing her in.

The biggest question on my mind now is whether or not we’ll see Laney-Hamilton or Diggins return to action this season for their respective teams. Or if they’ll just ride the bench until the season is over.

What do you think? Were you surprised that the Mercury traded for Kelsey Plum? Were you surprised that Betnijah and Skylar didn’t get moved? Let me know in the comments section.

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Written By: Danny Williams
Twitter: danny_w22

Last Monday, the Golden State Valkyries (19-8) finally proved they were mortal, falling to the Washington Mystics, 90-82. Before that, they had rattled off nine wins in a row.

Golden State held a four-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but a 36-point eruption from Washington sunk its chances of the winning streak reaching double-digits.

In the final quarter, the Mystics shot 69% (11-16 FG) from the field and shot 92% (12-13 FT) from the free-throw line. Shakira Austin scored 10 points in the quarter, and All-Star Sonia Citron added 11 points. Citron finished with 17 points and six assists, while Austin finished with 15 points and a whopping 15 rebounds. Kiki Iriafen led the Mystics in scoring with 23 points and also grabbed 12 rebounds. The Mystics out-rebounded the Valkyries 35-21.

Kaitlyn Chen led the way for Golden State, scoring 20 points (8-13 FG) off the bench and dishing out six assists. Janelle Salaün also scored 11 points off the bench. The Valkyries outscored the Mystics 37-14 on bench points.

Kayla Thornton tallied 15 points, and Veronica Burton added 12 points and seven assists. All-Star Gabby Williams was disappointing in the loss. The forward scored just eight points (4-12 FG) and had a team-worst -19 plus-minus.

Before Monday’s loss to the Mystics, the Valkyries ended their five-game road trip with an impressive 88-75 over the Fever on Wednesday, July 15, and took the first game against the Mystics at home on Saturday, July 18, 74-69.

Against Indiana, seven Golden State players finished in double-figure scoring. Williams led the team with 16 points. Salaün and Chen both scored double-figures off the bench along with Tiffany Hayes, who pitched in with 13 points. The Golden State bench dominated once again, outscoring Indiana’s bench 43-21.

The Valkyries’ defense stymied a potent Fever offense. The Fever shot just 40% (27-67 FG) from the field and were held to just 12 points in the second quarter. Offensive juggernaut Caitlin Clark scored just 13 points on 4-14 FG shooting and committed four turnovers. Kelsey Mitchell scored 20 points (7-16 FG) to lead the Fever.

In Saturday’s matchup against the Mystics, the Valkyries shot just 41% (24-59 FG) and were out-rebounded 37-26, but still found a way to edge out the victory. A common theme, the Valkyries’ bench scoring, was the key to victory. Golden State outscored Washington 25-16 off the bench.

Golden State outscored Washington 22-12 in the final frame to secure the win. Williams led Golden State with 18 points, 10 coming in that fourth quarter, and tallied five assists. Veronica Burton ended with a double-double, 11 points and 11 assists. Austin had a monster game for Washington, 18 points and 16 rebounds.

Coming out of the All-Star break, Golden State heads back on the road to take on the Phoenix Mercury (10-18) on Wednesday, July 29, at 7 p.m.

The Valkyries sit in second place in the WNBA standings, and they’ve gone 9-1 in their last 10 games. They finished last season as the 8th seed and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs against Minnesota. This year, they are aiming to finish in the Top 4 to have homecourt advantage once the playoffs begin.

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Written By: Molly Tepper
Twitter: mollytepper

(Los Angeles, CA) After a four-game road trip, the Los Angeles Sparks (10-16) came back home to take on the Phoenix Mercury (10-18) in one last battle before the All-Star break. Despite a close game with eight lead changes and ten ties, the game got away from the Sparks in the fourth quarter as they struggled to keep up with the Mercury’s pace defensively, and once again, 18 turnovers plagued their 86-82 loss.

Rae Burrell led the way for the Sparks with 20 points (7-16 FG), as she made multiple clutch shots down the stretch that kept the momentum going for her team. Dearica Hamby added 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, having multiple offensive spurts, including her 7-0 run to open the game. Nneka Ogwumike had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

For the Mercury, Kahleah Copper scored a game-high 21 points. Alyssa Thomas had her first triple-double this year and 20th of her career in the regular season, finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists. She also made all nine of the Mercury’s free throws.

Coach Lynne Roberts talked about defending Kahleah Copper:

“I mean, it’s Kahleah Copper. That’s who she is. She had 41 on us the last time. She’s an All-Star. She’s an Olympian. That’s who she is.”

Through the first quarter, Dearica Hamby scored the first seven points for the Sparks. Nonetheless, LA struggled finishing at the rim, shooting 26% from the field (6-23) and 27% from downtown (3-11). Both Ariel Atkins and Erica Wheeler had zero points through the first. As the offense struggled, the home team could not keep up with Phoenix’s fast pace in transition, and their defense felt invisible. Despite the struggles, the Sparks were able to keep the game within one point thanks to the Mercury’s six turnovers, as LA was able to intercept multiple cross-court passes.

The problems remained the same for the Sparks through the second as their defense struggled to defend guard Kahleah Copper, who led her team with 12 to end the half. Alyssa Thomas was also able to get to the free-throw line almost every time she made her way to the rim. With two minutes remaining, Erica Wheeler and Nneka Ogwumike both had three fouls, forcing Coach Lynne Roberts to go to her bench. Cameron Brink, Jihyun Park, and Emma Cannon combined for seven points. However, every time the Sparks made a shot, the Mercury had a response. Los Angeles had five turnovers in the second while Phoenix only added one. Further, the Mercury had 14 points in fast-break points to the Sparks’ 0. Regardless, LA matched the Mercury’s pace with a drive down the court and a floating jumper by Rae Burrell, only putting the Sparks down by two to end the half, 43-41.

After back-to-back layups by Hamby, the Sparks were able to take the lead. The bench continued to play deep into the third quarter. Despite seven more turnovers, the bench kept the game within two possessions. Back-to-back threes from Cameron Brink and Rae Burrell tied the game to end the third. By giving the starters a longer rest on the bench, it set up hope for a strong fourth-quarter finish.

However, the Sparks could not defend the Mercury down the stretch nor make up for it on the offensive side. A missed layup by Dearica Hamby to tie the game with less than a minute to go turned into an easy breakaway score for the Mercury, ending the game 86-82.

After, Coach Lynne Roberts spoke about closing out games:

“Our execution needs to be better. Attention to detail. Our communication defensively. I felt like we were a little bit reactive defensively down the stretch rather than proactive.”

After the All-Star break, the Sparks will stay at home to take on the New York Liberty on July 28th at 7 p.m.

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Written By: Molly Tepper
Twitter: mollytepper

The Los Angeles Sparks (10-15) were riding high after back-to-back wins at home. Starters were putting up big stats, and Cameron Brink’s return to the court was only a few games away. Nonetheless, the four-game road trip ahead would be a tricky test. Three of the four teams they were to face were over .500, meaning the road trip would be a measure of whether they could push through the adversity they had faced all season.

The test got the better of them as the Sparks dropped all four games on the trip. Here’s what the skid revealed:

The Sparks have had their fair share of prominent injuries this season. Kelsey Plum, LA’s biggest playmaker and scorer, has been out since the start of June with a return date that remains unknown. Cameron Brink has also continuously dealt with a lingering left ankle injury. Therefore, the Sparks’ lack of bench depth has contributed to their inability to close out games. Without depth, the pressure has been put on the starters who have to stay on the court for long minutes. There is no question that LA has been fighting, but by the end of the fourth quarter, they usually run out of gas, and their attention to detail diminishes.

In the first game against the Atlanta Dream (16-10), the Sparks fell behind early but stayed within striking distance. Multiple turnovers and the inability to finish at the rim by the Dream allowed the Sparks to go on an 8-0 run to open the fourth, culminating with Dearica Hamby giving LA its first lead since the second quarter. However, this game would reveal a theme that would follow the Sparks all week: a lack of bench leading to poor execution in crunch time. Down the stretch, an offensive foul by Ariel Atkins and turnovers by Hamby and Nneka Ogumike allowed Atlanta to capitalize, collecting four unanswered points and cruising to a 101-94 win.

Despite the loss, the Sparks starters all had excellent scoring performances. Erica Wheeler led the way with 20 points, Nneka Ogwumike added 19, and Rae Burrell had 18 for LA. The Sparks shot more efficiently than the Dream from the field and behind the arc, so what went wrong for them?

Ultimately, it comes down to depth. The Dream outscored the Sparks in bench points 21-10, and Atlanta used that edge to their advantage. Without Kelsey Plum, starters are required to play 36+ minutes in a game if they want to stay within reach. However, exhaustion can lead to careless ball handling, allowing the other team to pull away down the stretch.

After the loss, Nneka Ogwumike said:

“We were playing hard, but we could have dialed up on the execution of it all. That’s something that has been a point of emphasis for us, and the beauty of this league is that on Wednesday we can try to get that back.”

The Sparks looked solid through the first two and a half quarters against the Minnesota Lynx (20-6) in game two of their road stretch. With less than four minutes to go in the third, Cameron Brink, in her return game from injury, had the ball stripped from her by rookie standout Olivia Miles. This turnover led to an 8-0 run for the Lynx. Even still, the Sparks were able to crawl back to cut the lead to one by the end of the third period. Once again, it came down to the fourth quarter, and would the Sparks have enough left in them to continue to bank shots and avoid costly turnovers?

Los Angeles’s hustle was no match for Minnesota’s crisp ball movement and accuracy from deep. Midway through the fourth quarter, Miles left the game after rolling her left ankle with 18 points and three steals without a turnover. After Miles left, her teammates were able to pick up where she left off as Kayla McBride would score 10 of her 24 points, including a crucial bucket from long distance to secure their victory 96-87.

Once again, it was not a lack of scoring efficiency. It came down to taking care of the ball. LA had 20 turnovers to the home team’s 12. They were outmatched on points converted off turnovers, 30-14, making the margin for error too narrow to overcome.

After meeting seven days prior, the Sparks buckled up to take on the Sky (9-17), this time in Chicago. With five minutes to go in the first quarter, the Sparks already had eight turnovers. Somehow, they were up by one to end the quarter.

Chicago began to do a better job on the defensive glass, LA’s turnover struggles continued, and the Sky’s bench players, such as Gabriela Jaquez, played a crucial role driving to the rim and creating open shots for her teammates. By the half, Los Angeles was outscored 33-19 and had 12 turnovers. The Sparks’ bench had zero points while the Sky’s already had 23.

The Sparks also struggled to defend the Sky’s pick-and-roll. Poor communication fell between LA’s guards and centers as Kamilla Cardoso set good screens, freeing Natasha Cloud to drive to the rim. The Sky continuously ran this play when they needed buckets to maintain or increase their lead, carrying them to a 96-82 win over the Sparks.

Once again, despite a strong showing by the Sparks’ starters, including 18 points and 12 rebounds by Ogwumike, the away team’s lack of bench depth caught up with them, and costly turnovers only made it worse. They were outscored in bench points 28-14 and had 18 turnovers to the Sky’s nine.

Coach Lynne Roberts spoke on the turnovers after loss to Chicago:

“If you’re not going to have a great shooting night, you’ve got to win it through taking care of the ball and defending. And we didn’t do that.”

Nearing the end of the road trip, the Sparks faced off against the well-rested Dallas Wings (17-8). The Sparks kept the game within a few possessions heading into the fourth quarter. However, guarding Paige Buckers and staying out of foul trouble remained a test for LA. With three minutes left, and the Sparks only down four points, a turnover by Rae Burrell was converted into a layup for Odyssey Sims. Dearica Hamby then missed a layup, and on the other end, an offensive rebound by Azzi Fudd turned into a clutch bucket for Jessica Shepard, sealing the game for the Wings 90-82.

Coach Roberts doesn’t believe it’s time to panic. After the game down in Atlanta, she reflected on the state of her team:

“I’m not buying into the narrative that we’re having some brutal season. We’re not. This is a process. We’ve had adversity. We have new players, new all-stars. They’re fitting in. It takes time, and I know we are not in a patient industry, but I am not going to buy into the ‘oh what’s wrong,’ no, we’re just going to keep plowing through things. We are going to get healthy and keep moving forward. We are only halfway through. So, this will not be the story of the season.”

It has not been all bad for the Sparks this week in spite of the losses. All five starters have shown out every night. Nneka Ogwumike passed Lisa Leslie for the most points in the Sparks franchise history. In two of Cameron Brink’s three games back, she has put up double figures, even on a minutes restriction. Rae Burrell stepped up with a season-high 24 points against the Lynx. Even though Sparks fans may continuously feel discouraged coming up short, the team continues to prove they are capable, setting the groundwork for when Plum returns, hopefully after the All-Star break.

The LA Sparks will head home for one more game before the All-Star break, facing the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, July 22nd at noon.

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Written By: Danny Williams
Twitter: danny_w22

On the back of star forward Gabby Williams earning her first All-Star Starter nod, the Golden State Valkyries (17-7) ripped off four consecutive victories to start July and are now tied for the best record in the league with Las Vegas and Minnesota. In total, they’ve won seven games in a row.

On July 4, Golden State completed the season sweep of the Atlanta Dream, parlaying a late 8-0 run into the 88-83 victory in Atlanta. Williams finished 19 points (7-14 FG) and added three steals while Veronica Burton poured in 21 points (6-9 FG) to lead the team. Janelle Salaün provided a spark off the bench with 14 points. Golden State drilled 13 threes to Atlanta’s eight and held the Dream to just 39.4% shooting from the field (26-66 FG).

Two days later, Golden State headed to the nation’s capital and pulled out a grimy 62-49 victory over the Mystics. Kaitlyn Chen was the only Valkyries player to score in double-figures, scoring 14 points (6-9 FG). Golden State shot just 35% from the field (26-74 FG) and 17.6% from three (6-34 FG), but still managed to out-shoot the Mystics in both categories (30% 18-60 FG) and (12.5% 3-24 FG). The major difference in this one was the turnovers. Golden State forced 14 Washington turnovers and only committed five infractions of its own.

The next stop on the road trip was across the border in Toronto against the Tempo. In the 83-75 win, the Valkyries received major contributions from their bench. Salaün scored a game-high 26 points (7-10 FG), and Chen added 16 points (8-12) as well. Golden State outscored Toronto 52-20 off the bench. Kayla Thornton was the only starter for Golden State who scored in double-figures with 15 points (4-6 FG) and hauled in a team-high nine rebounds. The Valkyries held Tempo’s all-star Marina Mabrey to just 11 points (2-9 FG) and forced her into five turnovers.

Golden State capped off the winning streak with a blowout victory over the Connecticut Sun, 79-64. In the game, Golden State carried a 22-point lead after a 49-point eruption in the second half. Burton led the way for the Valkyries with 17 points (7-12 FG) and a team-high six assists. Salaün provided another stellar performance off the bench with 16 points (5-11 FG) and seven rebounds. Golden State shot tremendously in the victory, 51.7% (31-60 FG) from the field and 44.4% (8-18 FG) from long distance.

The Valkyries cap off the five-game road trip with a test against the Indiana Fever (13-9) on July 15. The game will tip at 5 p.m. and be aired on the USA Network.

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Written By: Molly Tepper
Twitter: mollytepper

(Los Angeles, CA) Little by little, the Sparks (10-11) have been gaining momentum. While Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink remain out, LA’s healthy players had to pick up the slack. Their starters answered the call on Friday night, as the Sparks pulled away from the Chicago Sky (7-15) in the fourth quarter, outscoring them 29-17 down the stretch for a 102-87 triumph.

“Good teams are consistent,” Head Coach Lynne Roberts said. “We have to play the right way. The score takes care of itself, and that’s the challenge to play. Empty the tank as hard as you can and play as connected as you can.”

Was the message that Coach Lynne Roberts said before the game tipped off. Her team took the message to heart.

The Sparks had a season-high 32 assists, and all five starters scored in double figures, led by Nneka Ogwumike’s 25-point and 12-rebound game. During the game, Ogwumike moved into the top five in WNBA history for assists. The Sparks shot 51% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. Dearica Hamby, Ariel Atkins, and Rae Burrell each had 17 points apiece. Meanwhile, Kamilla Cardoso led the Sky with 15 points and eight rebounds.

Coach Roberts emphasized after the game the importance of playing as a team.

“We need to get the win, not I need to get the bucket. And I think that’s the mentality of great teams, and we’re figuring it out. It’s fun to watch, and I know that’s the style that’s more fun to play, too.”

Defense appeared optional in the first quarter of play as the two teams combined for 57 points in the opening frame. The Sparks relied on their shots from deep as a result of Kamilla Cardoso’s size. By the first timeout, Los Angeles was 3-4 from downtown and 8-10 from the field. Despite the strong offensive start, the Sparks struggled with their transition defense, and Chicago got to the rim throughout the quarter. The Sky’s bench outscored the Sparks’ reserves 24-2 throughout the first half. LA would persist by hitting from deep. By the end of the half, the Sparks led by five, 53-48.

With seven minutes to go in the third, Natasha Cloud subbed out of the game with four fouls, while also leading the team in assists. Soon after, Kamilla Cardoso got her fourth foul as well. Not only was Chicago’s depth tested, but so was Los Angeles’ ability to capitalize with two of the Sky’s starters out of the game. On back-to-back possessions, Rae Burrell made a no-look pass to Ogwumike for an easy layup, and Erica Wheeler made a half-court pass to Dearica Hamby for two in the paint. When the Sparks’ transition defense to offense looked good, the Sparks had great rhythm to their game. Despite those efforts, the Sky’s depth continued to punch back, with Chicago’s bench outscoring the Sparks’ reserves 32-11 throughout the game. They kept the game within one possession going into the fourth quarter.

The Sparks exploded in the final period, and their shots from downtown were the difference, where they hit 80% (4-5 FG). For the entire game, LA outscored Chicago in three-pointers 45% (14-31) to 24% (6-25). Erica Wheeler was a game changer. Wheeler’s penetration for two consecutive threes allowed the Sparks to run away with the lead. With under two minutes remaining, Hamby made a reverse layup and then would go on to block Courtney Vandersloot’s shot at the other end to seal the game and give the Sparks their second win in a row.

“In the fourth quarter coach emphasized on just being able to get stops because we kind of let them get a little run,” Wheeler said. “So just to have that poise, we haven’t shown that in a very long time, so for us to display that tonight, that should be the standard, and it felt good to have that poise.”

The Sparks will head out on a four-game road trip. Next, they take on the Atlanta Dream on Monday, July 13th at 4:00 p.m.

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Written By: Molly Tepper
Twitter: mollytepper

(Los Angeles, CA) - After a three-game losing streak, the Los Angeles Sparks (9-11) had something to prove. Without their star players, Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink, the Sparks had been unable to find rhythm on both ends of the court, struggling to connect and play with pace. That all changed on Wednesday night, as the Sparks used suffocating defense and strong connectivity on the offensive end to cruise to a 106-92 win over the Indiana Fever (12-9).

With Caitlin Clark on a minutes restriction, no Aliyah Boston, and the Fever on their second game of a four-game road trip, it was a ripe time for the Sparks to capitalize. Three players scored in double figures for Los Angeles, led by Nneka Ogwumike’s 24 points, Dearica Hamby’s 21, and Rae Burrell’s 22. Hamby and Ogwumike combined for 17 rebounds as well.

“Obviously, I didn’t have a very good shooting night last game,” Burrell said. “So I knew I needed to bounce back today…win or lose, we wanted to fight and compete.”

Nneka Ogwumike praised her team’s effort after the game.

“Yeah, we wanted to play hard. We wanted to own each possession and to compete at every level for the full 40 minutes of play. It’s really that simple. I think when you put your heart into playing that hard, the schemes, the plays, the execution, it comes to fruition,” Ogwumike added, “And tonight, it felt good emptying the tank as well, you know, just ensuring that anybody who was on the court was doing everything possible to make sure that we could win the possession.”

The first five minutes of the opening quarter appeared to be a continuation of the Sparks’ Monday night matchup against the Seattle Storm. All of the Fever’s shots were dropping while LA was unable to finish at the rim, and the Sparks’ defense continuously struggled to collect rebounds. By the time the first official timeout occurred, the Sparks already had four turnovers and four missed layups in a row.

Despite the rough start, the home team quickly turned things around. After a 6-0 run to end the first, the second quarter was all Sparks. Indiana’s seemingly simple passes were shifting into turnovers, and LA’s spacing in transition and patience began to flow. At the four-minute mark of the second quarter, among the Fever’s last 20 possessions, they had made just three field goals and had committed seven turnovers.

The Sparks went on a 12-0 run with three minutes remaining in the second as Hamby began to rebound and get easy layups, and Ogwumike began doing what she does best, creating space and making shots in the paint. After yet another turnover by the Fever, Ogwumike grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed shot and found Hamby, who finished with an easy layup, extending the Sparks’ 16-2 run. Capitalizing on turnovers and crashing the offensive glass is exactly what Los Angeles needed to secure the win.

As the game progressed, LA was able to counter every attempted run by Indiana. Despite Kelsey Mitchell dropping a game-high 29 points (9-18 FG), the Sparks never allowed the game to get close. They pushed Clark into four turnovers and forced the Fever into sloppy play with 17 total turnovers.

“I’m happy we won obviously, but I’m more happy with how we played,” head coach Lynne Roberts said. “We talked about playing more connected, having a little more smarts out there, defensively emptying the tank, getting out and running, and playing with pace.”

The Sparks will attempt to get another game in the win column as they face the Chicago Sky (7-14) on Friday, July 10th, at 7 p.m.

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Photography Credits: LA Sparks/WNBA Photography

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