Correspondent for Southern California News Group

John W. Davis

John W. Davis is a former staff reporter for the Long Beach Press-Telegram. He covered high school sports, UCLA men's basketball and the Los Angeles Sparks for the Southern California News Group.

Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, down on the court, celebrates with teammates Julie Vanloo (35), Julie Allemand (20) and Kelsey Plum (10) after making a shot at the buzzer in the first half of their game against the Washington Mystics on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Sparks blow out Mystics for 1st consecutive wins of season

July 15, 2025 at 10:48 p.m.

Dearica Hamby scores 26 points, Rickea Jackson adds 22 and Kelsey Plum scores 20 as the Sparks (8-14) take control in the second quarter and roll to a 99-80 win.

Rickea Jackson of the Sparks reacts after a blocking the shot of Saniya Rivers of the Connecticut Sun in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on July 13, 2025. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Sparks, looking to stack wins before WNBA All-Star break, welcome the Mystics

July 14, 2025 at 12:36 p.m.

As the Sparks try to climb the league standings, they will host the Washington Mystics Tuesday night, in the first of a four-game series in the last 23 games of...

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Rickea Jackson #2 of the Sparks controls the ball against Aneesah Morrow #24 of the Connecticut Sun in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on July 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Kelsey Plum leads Sparks to narrow home win against Sun

July 13, 2025 at 6:59 p.m.

Kelsey Plum scores 23, Azurá Stevens adds 21 and Rickea Jackson posts 19 to lead the Sparks to a 92-88 win over Connecticut.

Sparks rookie forward Cameron Brink reacts during the second half of their game against the Seattle Storm during the 2024 season in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Cameron Brink working toward July return as Sparks prepare to host Sun

July 13, 2025 at 1:12 a.m.

With her team set to host last-place Connecticut on Sunday afternoon, Sparks coach Lynne Roberts says Brink is getting closer to returning from last year’s season-ending knee injury.

The Sparks’ Rickea Jackson reacts after a play against the Minnesota Lynx on May 18, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

Sparks see ‘opportunity’ against Napheesa Collier and the Lynx

July 9, 2025 at 3:08 p.m.

The Sparks, three games outside of the WNBA’s final playoff spot nearing the midway point of the season, host first-place Minnesota on Thursday afternoon.

Candace Parker and guests gather for a photo at center court as her jersey is retired during halftime of a WNBA basketball game between the Chicago Sky and the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 29, 2025. (Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

Sparks fall short against Sky on day honoring Candace Parker

June 29, 2025 at 5:41 p.m.

On the day they raised Candace Parker’s No. 3 jersey into the rafters, the Sparks drop a "must-win" game to Chicago, 92-85, despite an emotional tribute to one of the...

Los Angeles Sparks Candace Parker is pictured during a game against the New York Liberty at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Sparks want to honor Candace Parker with win vs. Sky at jersey retirement ceremony

June 28, 2025 at 4:01 p.m.

The Sparks (5-11), coming off a road win Indiana, host Chicago (4-11) on Sunday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena.

Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, center, is fouled by the Seattle Storm’s Alysha Clark, right, as Nneka Ogwumike, left, also defends during the first half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Depleted Sparks can’t weather Storm in blowout loss

June 17, 2025 at 9:46 p.m.

Playing without leading scorer Kelsey Plum and guard Odyssey Sims, the Sparks trail by 35 points in the second half and are held to a season-low point total in a...

Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, left, shoots as Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington defends during the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Sparks focused on ‘bigger picture’ with Nneka Ogwumike, Storm on deck

June 16, 2025 at 3:31 p.m.

The short-handed Sparks (4-8), coming off a lopsided road loss to Minnesota, host Seattle (6-5) on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.

Sparks star Kelsey Plum, center, reacts as she is fouled while driving between the Golden State Warriors’ Janelle Salaun, left, and Veronica Burton on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. The Sparks lost, 89-81, in overtime, and Plum took issue with the officiating after the game. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Kelsey Plum vents after Sparks lose to Valkyries in OT

June 9, 2025 at 11:14 p.m.

Plum and Dearica Hamby combine for 44 points, but the Sparks fall to expansion Golden State for the second time in three meetings this season, 89-81, with Plum calling out...

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