No, she’ll do it herself, on her own timeline, make a beeline from A past B straight to the W, where her WNBA dream job is exceeding her own lofty expectations.

The 21-year-old former Harvard-Westlake basketball star – you might also know her from her season at USC, starring alongside JuJu Watkins – is an All-Star already.

She’ll suit up for Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis along with fellow rookies Sonia Citron, Iriafen’s Mystics teammate, and Paige Bueckers, the Dallas Wings’ No. 1 overall draft pick. They’ll make it just 36 WNBA rookies to participate in a WNBA All-Star Game since it debuted in 1999, per Across the Timeline.

“It’s incredible,” said Melissa Hearlihy, Iriafen’s former Harvard-Westlake coach. “But it’s not surprising.”

No, because this is Kiki Iriafen. And not so long ago, when she decided, in eighth grade, that she wanted to go to Harvard-Westlake, she filled out all the required forms and paperwork that give grownups headaches and presented them to her mom, Yemi, completed except for her signature. “I’m a very independent person,” Kiki said. “I like to get things done.”

This is Kiki Iriafen, who completed her degree in product design and mechanical engineering at Stanford – in three years, while, of course, playing Division I basketball. Who added a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and innovation from USC while also trying to chase a championship with the Trojans.

This is Kiki Iriafen, whose fast track to professional All-Stardom – following Rookie of the Month out of the gate in May – has been so immediate, it has surprised even her: “Not even on my radar at all coming in.”

But the precocious power forward has checked in, a 6-foot-3 sponge – “She asks a lot of questions,” Trojans assistant coach Willnett Crockett told me – eager to learn and improve and, heck yes, to compete fiercely against fellow 4s, so many of whom are among the WNBA’s best players.

Iriafen is averaging nearly a double-double – 11.9 points and 8.5 rebounds on 46% shooting – for a surprisingly competitive Mystics team that is in the midst of a youth movement that’s proving more launching pad than incubator, with Citron and Iriafen, this year’s Nos. 3 and 4 picks, becoming the first pair of rookie All-Star teammates since 1999.

There’s wasting little time and wasting none; arriving early, right on time.

Because as women’s basketball is having a time here in the 2020s, Iriafen is among the game’s bright new All-Stars. Not a headliner like Caitlin and JuJu and Paige, perhaps, but she’s on the marquee.

After I heard her say this week that she found fashion and basketball gave her confidence as a tall girl growing up, I looked over my daughter’s shoulder as she flipped through August’s Vogue magazine to see Iriafen staring back at us in a Coach advertisement. Also, in April, she became the first college athlete to sign a sponsorship deal with Skechers, catch her playing in their coral-colored SKX Nexus sneakers. And hey now, she’s an All-Star.

“Kiki has a remarkable presence,” said Jamila Wideman, the Mystics’ general manager who was a popular rookie playing for the Sparks in the WNBA’s inaugural season in 1997. “She’s funny, she’s warm, she has a charisma. And if that is a part of being a star, then she has that.”

Iriafen also had the news of her transfer from Stanford to USC announced to the world via Woj bomb, an Adrian Wojnarowski social media post that landed during a Lakers playoff game: “Just in: Former Stanford F Kiki Iriafen – the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft – has committed to the USC Trojans, she tells ESPN. Iriafen will return to her LA home to team with Juju Watkins on a national title contender for coach Lindsay Gottlieb.”

There were a lot of reasons for the move: a shot at a national championship, playing for Gottlieb, coming home to L.A., no place like it.

And that the change turned out to be a challenge – statistically, Iriafen took a step back, and eventual champion UConn stopped the JuJu-less Trojans in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament – turned out to be a feature.

Not that collegians these days need additional incentives to transfer, but how about this from Wideman, the rookie GM who was also once a Stanford star: “You got to see her in a couple different situations in college. Her transfer for her last year and her ability to make that transition pretty quickly, to adapt under a gigantic spotlight, I think told you something about her person and her ability to adapt … to me, it spoke something to her bravery.”

They ought to offer degrees in adaptability, because Iriafen would be working toward one of those, too – or teaching the course.

“She’s just done a tremendous job of adapting and adjusting to the pros, the size and physicality,” said Lynne Roberts, who had to game plan for Iriafen in college as Utah’s head coach and now in her first year coaching the Sparks. “Playing against her in college, she was always big and strong and athletic and explosive, and I think she’s just kind of taking that to another level.”

What that means, Iriafen said, is applying her basketball education, “just putting my head down … just being adaptable and using the things that I’ve learned [at USC] to just impact any way I can on the Mystics.”

That’s also how she played at Harvard-Westlake, where she arrived having only started hooping in middle school. But she came with undeniable physical gifts and, importantly, a dream and a drive: “She never let anything get in her way,” said Hearlihy, who retired from coaching in 2024 after 39 years and 839 victories. “The most driven kid I’ve ever coached.”

A quick trip down memory lane in the L.A. Daily News archives documents how Iriafen steadily added to her bag, starting as a head-turning 6-1 freshman who led the team in scoring to super-sophomore gaining acclaim as the sixth-ranked prospect in the country.

As a junior, she was described as a “dominating” “unstoppable” “budding superstar” with soft hands and impressive body control. A mentally tough, elite finisher who loved opening up the game for teammates on the way to a CIF Southern Section Division I crown.

And by the time she was a Stanford-bound senior, averaging 20.9 points and 15.8 rebounds, she’d “added a deadly shooting touch,” acquired “a solid package” of moves, earned recognition as a McDonald’s All-American and, twice, as the Daily News’ Player of the Year.

And this week, she was back, back again in L.A., this time having met and exceeded her initial professional goals. She was playing for the first time against the Sparks and in Crypto.com Arena, where she said she’d been so many times as a fan. A large contingent from the Trojans’ women’s basketball program was on hand Tuesday and DJ Mal-Ski, who also worked Iriafen’s USC games, played those familiar few notes of Drake’s 2018 hit “In My Feelings” – “Kiki, do you love me?” – a couple of times during the game as something of hello again.

The Sparks beat Washington, 99-80, handing the Mystics just their third loss in nine games and holding Iriafen to eight points and eight rebounds. A growth opportunity, she would probably tell you.

Afterward, at home on the road, Iriafen embraced Sparks center Cameron Brink – her former Stanford teammate – and slapped high-fives with fans, signed autographs and stopped for a few photos and selfies before disappearing into the tunnel.

Next stop: the WNBA All-Star Game.

Dearica Hamby’s inspired play, which included scoring 10 straight points to close the second quarter, helped lead the Sparks to a 99-80 victory over the Washington Mystics on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.

Hamby scored 18 of her game-high 26 points before halftime in the final game before the All-Star break for both teams. Rickea Jackson scored 22 points, Kelsey Plum had 20 points and six assists and Azurá Stevens added 15 points and eight rebounds. The quartet combined for 83 of the Sparks’ season-high 99 points.

“When we’re aggressive from the jump, we’re really good,” Jackson said.

The Sparks (8-14), who outscored Washington 33-12 in the second quarter, closed the first half on a 17-2 run over the final four minutes to reach their most points scored in any half this season at 59. Hamby’s 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer gave them a 25-point lead.

“I think we’re starting to figure it out,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. “Also, getting players healthy helps, getting who we designed everything for.”

The Sparks, who finished the night with a season-high 58 points in the paint, have already matched last season’s win total, when they went a league-worst 8-32 and missed the playoffs for a franchise-record fourth consecutive year.

“We just have to keep our foot on the gas as a group and continue to improve,” Roberts said.

Shakira Austin had 16 points and eight rebounds to lead Washington (11-11), which saw its three-game win streak end. Sug Sutton added 14 points and Aaliyah Edwards scored 13. Former Sparks guard Brittney Sykes, Washington’s leading scorer (17.6 ppg), was held to eight points on 2-of-7 shooting.

The Sparks led 26-22 at the end of the first quarter with Plum, Hamby, Jackson and Stevens scoring all of the team’s points in the opening 10 minutes.

A Julie Allemand 3-pointer with 9:46 left in the second quarter was the first basket by another Spark and it gave her team a 29-22 lead. Allemand finished with 10 assists and just one turnover.

Jackson’s three-point play extended the Sparks’ advantage to 49-34 with 2:54 left in the first half, then Hamby’s 10-point run of a fast-break layup, a 3-pointer, a pair of free throws and then her buzzer-beating 3-pointer made it 59-34 at halftime.

“You saw how bad we wanted this one,” Roberts shared. “It’s been a tough first part of the season. It feels really good to play two games in a row and play well, and to get a winning streak going and protect our home court but it certainly does make the break a little more fun.”

The Mystics scored 12 points in the opening four minutes of the third quarter, but the Sparks maintained their double-digit lead for the entire second half.

Hamby shot 10 for 19 from the floor, while Jackson was 9 for 13 as the Sparks shot 53.5% as a team compared to 43.5% for the Mystics.

“Just remembering how these feelings feel, winning building off of that, playing super collectively,” Plum said of what the team can carry forward from this effort. “I thought (Tuesday night) was our best, I know the numbers back it up in terms of our pace and the way we shared the ball, the way it moved. We got great shots.”

Sparks forward Cameron Brink missed the game as she continues to recover a season-ending knee injury, that she suffered midway through her rookie season in June 2024. Roberts said she is hopeful Brink will return by the end of the month.

“I feel like I’m still learning the best rotation right now with the 10 [players] that we have,” explained Roberts, who is at the midway point of her first season coaching in the WNBA.

UP NEXT

The Sparks will play at Washington next Tuesday (July 22). … Plum, the team’s lone All-Star, will participate in the 3-point contest on Friday and Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis.

LA Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts on Washington Mystics rookie forward Kiki Iriafen, the Sparks dynamic duo of Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby, Rae Burrell’s impact and trying to win two games in a row and match the team’s season win total of 8 game from the 2024 WNBA season. pic.twitter.com/Ia8vC6HIEC

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 16, 2025

A win against the Mystics would be the Sparks first back-to-back wins this season.

The Sparks are coming off a 92-88 win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, in which starters Kelsey Plum (23 points), Azurá Stevens (21 points), Rickea Jackson (19 points) and Dearica Hamby (17 points), combined for 80 of the Sparks’ 92 points (86.9%).

“I was just trying to patient, pick my spots,” said Plum, who is the team’s lone 2025 All-Star. “I think we’ve gotten better at our spacing. I’m someone that thrives in space.”

The Sparks (7-14) ended their 13-game losing streak against the Sun, defeating them for the first time since Aug. 28, 2020.

“That’s been one of my goals coming into this year is to be consistent,” said Stevens, who recorded her seventh double-double with her 21-point and 11-rebound performance against the Sun. “Respectfully, I don’t care what the media thinks, I’m just trying to do my job and play hard for these guys and other people in my life.”

In addition to the team’s high-scoring quartet, starting point guard Julie Allemand had five points, four rebounds and six assists. Rae Burrell, a versatile guard/forward, scored a season-high seven points off the bench. She made all three of her attempts. No other reserves scored.

“She brings energy,” said Sparks coach Lynne Roberts when asked about Burrell’s impact. “In our locker room, she brings energy. You know when she’s there and I think you see that on the floor too. She’s just the Energizer Bunny and I think that Rae puts pressure on the defense, puts pressure on the rim. She’s so athletic and I feel like she’s getting into a groove, and I’m figuring out a rotation with having these guys back. She’s long and so athletic and so aggressive. I think you’re seeing why she’s so valuable to us.”

Tuesday’s game against the Mystics, their first in a four-game regular season series, will conclude the team’s three-game home stand, which began with a 91-82 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on July 10.

The Mystics (11-10) are coming off a come-from-behind 74-69 win at Seattle Sunday. Former Sparks guard Brittney Sykes had a team-high 19 points, four rebounds, four assists. Rookie All-Star forward Kiki Iriafen, a former USC and Harvard-Westlake High star, will play her first game back in Los Angeles, since being the No. 4 selection in this year’s draft.

Following the WNBA All-Star break, the Sparks will have a three-game road trip on the East Coast against the Washington (July 22), Connecticut (July 24) and New York Liberty (July 26).

The Sparks did not practice Monday. They will hold a shootaround Tuesday morning to prepare for Tuesday night’s game.

ROSTER MOVES

After waiving veteran center Mercedes Russell on July 12, the Sparks only have 11 players on their roster. With forward Cameron Brink still sidelined (knee injury), the team currently has 10 healthy players. The team’s front office could soon add another player to reach the 12-person roster limit and increase the team’s bench depth.

MYSTICS (11-10) AT SPARKS (7-14)

When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Where: Crypto.com Arena

TV: Spectrum SportsNet

Azura Stevens, Kelsey Plum and Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts on the team’s 92-88 home win over the Connecticut Sun Sunday night.

Stevens said the win, especially the team’s play in the fourth quarter shows maturity and growth for the Sparks.

Plum said patience was key. pic.twitter.com/YfUSmin7i0

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 14, 2025

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Leila Lacan #47 of the Connecticut Sun and Dearica Hamby #5 of the Sparks reach for the ball in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on July 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Olivia Nelson-Ododa #10 of the Connecticut Sun controls the ball against Rickea Jackson #2 of the Sparks in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on July 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Dearica Hamby #5 of the Sparks takes a shot against the Connecticut Sun in the second 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)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Leila Lacan #47 of the Connecticut Sun takes a shot against Dearica Hamby #5 of the Sparks in the second 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)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Olivia Nelson-Ododa #10 of the Connecticut Sun controls the ball against Rickea Jackson #2 of the Sparks in the second 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)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Julie Allemand #20 of the Sparks controls the ball against Jacy Sheldon #4 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)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Azura Stevens #23 of the Sparks is surrounded by Bria Hartley #14, Leila Lacan #47 and Olivia Nelson-Ododa #10 of the Connecticut Sun in the second 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)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Olivia Nelson-Ododa #10 of the Connecticut Sun takes a shot against Rickea Jackson #2 and Azura Stevens #23 of the Sparks in the second 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)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Leila Lacan #47 of the Connecticut Sun controls the ball against Sarah Ashlee Barker #13 of the Sparks in the second 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)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Bria Hartley #14 of the Connecticut Sun controls the ball against Kelsey Plum #10 of the Sparks in the second 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)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Aneesah Morrow #24 of the Connecticut Sun takes a shot against Dearica Hamby #5 and Azura Stevens #23 of the Sparks in the second 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)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 13: Leila Lacan #47 of the Connecticut Sun takes a shot against Dearica Hamby #5 of the Sparks in the second 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)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 10: Dearica Hamby #5 of the Sparks warm up before the game against the Minnesota Lynx at Crypto.com Arena on July 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 10: Kelsey Plum #10, Rae Burrell #12 and Azura Stevens #23 of the Sparks during warm up before the game against the Minnesota Lynx at Crypto.com Arena on July 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES — Urgency. Defensive energy, effort, and most importantly, execution.

“We’re not in a situation to overlook anyone,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said before the game.

Kelsey Plum took Coach Roberts’ message to heart and scored six consecutive points down the stretch to lift the Sparks to a much-needed 92-88 win over the Connecticut Sun at Crypto.com Arena Sunday. Plum finished with a team-high 23 points, including 18 points in the second half.

“I was just trying to be patient and trust that it’s going to come and then just try to be an assassin and strike,” Plum said.

Sparks center Azurá Stevens had 21 points, including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc, and 11 rebounds. Rickea Jackson had 19 points, six rebounds and four assists. Dearica Hamby added 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Stevens made both free throws with 6.4 to go to seal the victory as the Sparks improved to 7-14 overall.

“I think it just shows growth,” Stevens said. “Like Coach said, we weren’t rattled. They came back and hit some runs but we found a way to answer and I think it shows maturity and growth. I think throughout the season we’ve seen that sometimes when we get punched by teams we tend to crumble but I think (Sunday) we stuck together and we came back and got stops and came down and put the pressure on them offensively so I think it shows maturity and growth for our team.”

Meanwhile, Plum, Stevens, Jackson and Hamby combined for 80 of the team’s 92 points. Sparks starting point guard Julie Allemand finished with five points and six assists. Sparks forward Rae Burrell was the only reserve to score and added seven points off the bench.

The Sun (3-18) was led by guard Bria Hartley with 25 points. Rookie guard Saniya Rivers had 20 points. Jacy Sheldon had 11 points. Aneesah Morrow added 10 points off the bench.

“If we’re not hungry, then we’ve got a problem,” Roberts continued.

The Sparks trailed 49-47 at halftime and responded by starting the third quarter on a 10-1 run. Stevens’ 3-pointer put the Sparks up 50-49. Stevens drained another 3-pointer to go up 53-50. Stevens’ put back made it 55-50.

“I just try to come out and be aggressive, get into spots where my teammates can just hit me and then knock shots down,” Stevens explained when asked about her scoring eight straight points.

Plum’s up-and-under layup pushed the Sparks’ lead to 57-50.

However, the Sun battled back and tied the game at 67 on a layup by rookie guard Leïla Lacan. Burrell’s layup with 9.8 seconds left in the third gave the home team a 69-67 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Burrell scored seven points off the bench.

“Overall, I thought we stayed in it,” Roberts explained. “I never sensed the team get tight or out of the flow of it. Everybody is going to make runs and they did and we answered.”

Sun center Tina Charles, who finished with only nine points, made both free throws, which tied the game at 69 early in the fourth. Burrell’s mid-range jump shot put the Sparks back up 71-69.

Hartley made both free throws and tied the game at 71 with 8:31 to go. Plum’s 3-pointer made it 74-71. Stevens’ stepback corner 3-pointer extended it to 77-71. Allemand’s 3-pointer made it 80-74.

However, Rivers was a constant thorn in the Sparks’ side, especially in the fourth. Rivers poured eight points in clutch time, which kept the Sun within striking distance.

“We have to win games, so it’s not like we are position where we can give up games,” Sun first-year coach Rachid Meziane said before the game. “We are completely focused on each game we have to play until the All-Star break.”

Meanwhile, Sun guard Marina Mabrey, a Sparks 2019 second-round pick, missed the game with a left knee injury. Mabrey, the team’s second leading scorer, is averaging 15.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. However, even when she’s sidelined, she’s often called upon to be a leader off the court.

Sparks’ 2022 second-round pick center Olivia Nelson-Ododa had six points and three rebounds in 24 minutes for the Sun before fouling out with 1:28 left in the game.

Meanwhile, Sparks’ second-year forward Cameron Brink did not play as she continues to rehabilitate her left knee injury, which ended her rookie campaign 15 games into the season. Coach Roberts said she’s hopeful Brink will return by the end of this month.

The Sparks trailed 30-27 at the end of the first quarter. The Sun shot 65% from the field, draining 13 of 20 attempts early.

The Sparks trailed 49-41 with 1:46 left in the second quarter. However, they ended the first half on a 6-0 run and trailed 49-47 at halftime. Jackson had 17 points in the first half. Hamby had 13 points in the first half.

The Sun shot 50% in the game on 34 of 68 attempts. The Sparks, who scored 50 points in the paint in the game, shot 46.7% overall (35 of 75).

UP NEXT 

The Sparks will host Washington (11-10) on Tuesday, July 15. It will be the Sparks’ first time playing the Mystics this season. It will be the last game before the WNBA’s All-Star Game, which takes place on Saturday, July 19, in Indianapolis.

I’m breaking down the LA Sparks 92-88 win vs. the Connecticut Sun.

Sparks starters Kelsey Plum, Azura Stevens, Rickea Jackson & Dearica Hamby combined for 80 of the team’s 92 points.

Sun guards Bria Hartley and Saniya Rivers combined for 45 points but Tina Charles only had 9. pic.twitter.com/xKJb0IIhQ5

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 14, 2025

Los Angeles Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts pregame media availability before Sparks host the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

Coach Lynne Roberts on Sparks rookie Sania Feagin getting playing time after Mercedes Russell was waived. #basketball #wnba #lasparks pic.twitter.com/9BST7VFzkG

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 13, 2025

In that moment, Brink’s agility, versatility, length and potential was on full display.

The 6-foot-4 forward, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft is getting closer to playing in her first game since the season-ending torn ACL and meniscus injury that she suffered against the Connecticut Sun in June 2024.

Brink did not practice with her teammates Saturday, but the former Stanford star did play in an extended half-court 5-on-5 practice session afterward with the team’s male practice players.

According to Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts, Brink could potentially return by the end of the month. In her abbreviated rookie season, the defensive stalwart averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots (second in the league behind three-time MVP A’ja Wilson).

“She’s coming back, it’s going to take time,” Roberts said. “We all need to have patience with that. She’s been out for (13 months). That’s hard to just jump in and hit the ground running where you left. It’s going to take her some time and I’m fine with that. We’re going to give her that, but I played against her for four years at Stanford. Her defensive timing, she understands it. She’s elite defensively and then offensively I think she just gives us a boost for us offensively as well.”

Brink’s return will mark the first time the Sparks have had 12 healthy players this season.

“Hopefully, we get her back by the end of this month,” Roberts continued. “We’ll see when it actually is and it’s going to take some time, but I’ve been saying all season – we want to win but let’s peak in August and I think Cam provides a little bit of a boost not just on the court but just the confidence it brings to all of us having a player like that back.”

Until then, the Sparks (6-14) are searching for more than a positive takeaway. They simply need a win against the last-place Sun (3-17) on Sunday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena in their push toward climbing from 11th in the 13-team standings to make the playoffs for the first time in five seasons.

It will be the first of three games between the two teams this season. The Sparks are four games outside of the WNBA’s final playoff spot nearing the All-Star break, which is the midway point of the 44-game regular season.

“These are huge games,” Roberts continued. “We can still make the playoffs. That’s the goal, but we’ve got to get going now. Through 20 games, I think we’ve figured out who we are and who we aren’t, but now we’re starting to get everybody back and healthy. Cam is going to be back shortly. It’s got to happen now and so the urgency needs to be felt from top down.”

The Sparks are coming off a 91-82 home loss to the first-place Minnesota Lynx on Thursday. All-Star guard Kelsey Plum had a team-high 17 points and a season-high 12 assists, but the home team was outscored 58-33 in the second and third quarters, partly due to 22 turnovers over 40 minutes.

The Sun are coming off a 79-65 road loss to the Seattle Storm on Friday. Veteran center Tina Charles (2012 WNBA MVP), who eclipsed 8,000 career points in the defeat, had 20 points and 10 rebounds for her second straight double-double.

“There’s no game in this league that you can exhale,” Plum said. “We know that they’re coming in here very determined and they can be explosive at any time. You have one of the Hall of Famers in Tina Charles. She can go for 30 on any given night.”

However, Plum said she believes the new version of the team’s backcourt rotation that now includes starting point guard Julie Allemand and reserve Julie Vanloo, is trending in the right direction.

“Julie Allemand and also Julie Vanloo are pros and winners,” Plum said. “So they play with a different level of pace. They can create their own shot, create for others. It takes a lot of pressure off of me. The last couple of weeks have been tough trying to figure out how to run the offense and also score and also defend the lead guard. It’s just a lot of things and for anything, I’m the most excited that they’re back. I try to force Julie Allemand to never go to EuroBasket, so just very excited that both of them are back and really excited that Vanloo is here and she’s going to continue to help us. We want to play fast. We want to play with a lot of pace and space and so we’re going to continue to build that chemistry and it will be great.”

Vanloo, a 5-8, 32-year-old second-year guard, who was recently signed after being waived by the Golden State Valkyries, was a spark off the bench, with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting from 3-point range.

“I’m so super grateful to be here that this organization is giving me the chance,” said Vanloo, who is also a member the Belgium national team that won the EuroBasket 2025 tournament. “KP told me, just shoot the ball like when you kill us when you play Team USA.”

Roberts said she’s happy to have Vanloovs scoring punch off the bench.

“It’s great,” Roberts explained. “It’s what we’ve been missing. That’s why I was thrilled that when the Valkyries released her and I said to our GM, let’s see if we can get in on that because I felt like the one thing we really needed was a punch off the bench and someone who can really shoot it. We’ve got good players off the bench, I’m not trying to say that but just someone that can come in and be instant offense.”

ROSTER MOVE

The Sparks waived center Mercedes Russell after Saturday’s practice. The 6-6 eight-year veteran averaged 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 20 games.

SUN (3-17) AT SPARKS (6-14)

When: Sunday, 3 p.m.

Where: Crypto.com Arena

TV: Spectrum SportsNet

Exclusive: Cameron Brink held her own personal half court 5 on 5 practice session after LA Sparks practice Saturday morning.

Sparks coach Lynne Roberts is hopeful Brink will return to action before the end of July. pic.twitter.com/z1FohQiYqe

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 12, 2025

Exclusive: LA Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts on Cameron Brink hopefully returning by the end of July and the team’s playoff push over the last 24 regular season games.

Coach Roberts said the team’s defense needs to hold opponents to about 8 less points in their pursuit to win. pic.twitter.com/FGX7M3ESM5

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 12, 2025

Sparks guard Kelsey Plum drives to the basket as the Minnesota Lynx’s Courtney Williams defends during the second half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier drives to the basket as the Sparks’ Rae Burrell defends during the first half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Sparks forward Rickea Jackson, right, loses the ball to Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier during the first half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier drives to the basket as the Sparks’ Azurá Stevens defends during the first half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Sparks’ Julie Allemand, left, and the Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith battle for a rebound during the first half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Minnesota Lynx’s Jessica Shepard drives to the basket as the Sparks’ Emma Cannon defends during the first half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Sparks’ Emma Cannon, left, and the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Jessica Shepard pursue a loose ball during the first half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Minnesota Lynx’s Courtney Williams steals the ball from the Sparks’ Emma Cannon during the first half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, right, and the Minnesota Lynx’s Bridget Carleton reach for a loose ball during the first half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier drives to the basket as the Sparks’ Rae Burrell defends during the first half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Sparks’ Emma Cannon, left, and Dearica Hamby, right, battle Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier for a loose ball during the second half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Sparks’ Sarah Ashlee Barker tries to drive around Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier during the second half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith looks to pass the ball as the Sparks’ Mercedes Russell defends during the second half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Sparks star Kelsey Plum, right, and the Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith pursue a rebound during the second half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier grabs a rebound in front of Sparks forward Dearica Hamby during the second half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Sparks’ Sarah Ashlee Barker, right, passes the ball as Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier (24) defends during the second half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier comes up with a loose ball as the Sparks’ Emma Cannon tries to defend during the second half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Sparks’ Rae Burrell drives as the Minnesota Lynx’s Bridget Carleton defends during the second half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Sparks’ Azura Stevens looks to pass the ball as Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier defends during the second half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Sparks guard Julie Vanloo celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the second half of a game against the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, left, is fouled by Sparks forward Dearica Hamby during the second half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Sparks guard Kelsey Plum drives as the Minnesota Lynx’s Kayla McBride defends during the second half on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Sparks’ Dearica Hamby, left, Sarah Ashlee Barker (13) and Azura Stevens (23) walk off the court after a 91-82 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES — It wasn’t hostile but ear-splitting nonetheless. A cauldron of raucous sound in Crypto.com Arena, a steady drum of piercing noise. Well, high-pitched screams, to be more exact.

Thousands of children poured in on Kids Day for the Sparks’ game on Thursday afternoon, but the Minnesota Lynx didn’t care who was in the stands as Napheesa Collier led the WNBA’s first-place team, playing the second game of a back-to-back set, to a 91-82 win.

The Sparks (6-14) rode the wave of loud fan support to a 16-0 run early in the first quarter. By the close of the third quarter, they were trailing by 21 points. A 17-0 run from the end of the third period into the fourth wasn’t even enough to bring them back.

A 22-10 turnover differential, combined with the Lynx’s top-rated defense under Coach Cheryl Reeve, proved an insurmountable formula for the Sparks.

“Minnesota’s good,” Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts said during the week leading up to the game. “They’re a machine. Cheryl Reeve is the matriarch of the league, and just does an unbelievable job. They’re so disciplined, they play so hard.”

The turnovers manifested as 22 more shot attempts for the Lynx and 23 points off turnovers, the Sparks allowing a litany of free opportunities to a team that’s already top three in the WNBA in scoring.

“If you give the best team in the league easy run-out layups, it’s tough,” Sparks guard Kelsey Plum said. “We dug ourselves a hole, and they do a good job of protecting the pain. We just have to handle it better.”

On the week the WNBA’s All-Star teams were announced, Collier led her league-leading Lynx (18-3) on to the court as the league’s most potent scorer at 23.9 per game. She’ll be joined by teammate Courtney Williams in the All-Star festivities July 19 in Indiana.

However, it wasn’t either of the front-runners who initially powered Minnesota in the first half. Guard Natisha Hiedeman poured in 16 first-half points to spearhead the Lynx.

The Sparks regularly double- and triple-teamed Collier in the paint, leaving open opportunities for others on kick-outs. Heideman proved the greatest benefactor, hitting two first-quarter 3-pointers and finishing with 18 points.

“You’re not going to hold (Collier) to zero,” Roberts said before the game. “With a player like that, you have to do the best job you can with adjustments so that she doesn’t just get into rhythm and stay in rhythm. If you let her get comfortable, then you’re in trouble.”

By the second half, as the piercing screams began to subside, Collier did find more comfort.

But not a wealth of it.

After scoring just eight in the first half, the MVP front-runner eventually finished with 17 points with eight rebounds and five assists, but shot only 42% from the field and missed all six 3-point attempts.

The Sparks’ lone All-Star, Kelsey Plum, showed her star pedigree, scoring 17 points with three 3-pointers. It wasn’t enough to send the young fans home happy.

The Sparks’ newest addition, 32-year-old guard Julie Vanloo, provided a flicker of hope from the perimeter. All 15 of her points came on 3-point shots (5 for 7).

Waived by the Golden State Valkyries and signed by the Sparks a day later, Vanloo arrived with one clear mission: Shoot. And in her Crypto debut, she did exactly that.

“It’s been a rough week for me,” Vanloo said. “I’m trying to settle in a little bit. I’m just ready to shoot it and help the team where I can. I can get hot really quickly. That’s what I’m going for, and I’m happy I could do that today.”

Even as the score swayed to the visitors, she and Plum and the rest of the Sparks had constant innocent shrieks at their backs. A reported 18,199 in attendance, with the largest contingent younger than 15, created a noisy environment.

“It’s a great environment (with all) the kids,” Plum said. “I remember coming to these games when I was a kid, and it just made a big impact on me. It’s super important. It was fun.”

With the loss, the Sparks dropped to 3-7 in their last 10 games and are in 11th place in the 13-team league.

“It would be a huge opportunity to beat them at home and that’s how we’re approaching it,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said.

The Sparks have split their past four games, with both victories coming on the road against the Indiana Fever (85-75 on June 26 and 89-87 on July 5).

“I think we’re playing better,” Roberts said. “I really do. It helps to have players coming back.”

The Sparks (6-13) are coming off the two-point win in Indiana on Saturday, which featured a nine-player rotation. Recently integrated players include Julie Allemand, the team’s starting point guard who missed nearly three weeks due to an overseas commitment to play for Team Belgium in EuroBasket, and reserves Julie Vanloo, a guard who was signed on July 3 after being waived by the Golden State Valkyries, and guard/forward Rae Burrell, who has played in the last two games after getting hurt 41 seconds into her season debut May 16 against Golden State.

“We’re starting to get back to the roster that we thought we would have six months ago,” Roberts explained.

However, the Sparks, currently in 10th place in the 13-team league, are 0-3 against the Lynx this season. They suffered an 89-75 loss at home on May 18, a 101-78 loss on the road on June 14, and an 82-66 road loss on June 21.

“When the No. 1 team comes, you know you have to perform well,” Sparks forward Azurá Stevens said. “We played them three times now, we’re just going to come out and try to exceed their physicality, their intensiveness and just be on our A-game.”

In the last matchup, Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, who was selected as an All-Star reserve, had a team-high 15 points in the defeat. Stevens said it was awesome to see Plum, who is averaging a team-best 20.1 points and 5.6 assists per game, earn her fourth consecutive All-Star selection.

“KP, from the minute she’s come in, has just led by example with her work ethic, how hard she plays,” Stevens continued. “It’s been great getting on the court with her, so I’m happy that she got recognized and proud of her for being an All-Star of her team.”

The Lynx (17-3), who are led by WNBA All-Star captain Napheesa Collier, sit squarely atop the league standings, several games ahead of the Phoenix Mercury (14-6), New York Liberty (13-6), Atlanta Dream (12-7) and Seattle Storm (12-8) going into Wednesday’s schedule.

Collier is leading the league in scoring at 23.9 ppg.

However, Thursday’s game will be the second of back-to-back games for the Lynx after Wednesday afternoon’s 79-71 loss in Phoenix. Collier was held to 18 points in the defeat.

Stevens said Collier, with whom she played at UConn during the 2017-18 season, is an extremely tough player to match up with.

“Phee is just one of the best players, if not the best player in the league right now,” Stevens explained. “Just the way that she can score on three levels, defend, just affect the game. So all of us as posts, we know that we’re going to have to come ready to just stop her on three levels.

“She can shoot outside. She can take you off the bounce. She can post up. Her fadeaway is like killer, so I think just trying to make it as hard as possible for her and disrupting her offensively is what we’re going to try to do.”

Stevens, in her eighth season in the WNBA, is averaging a career-high 14.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocked shots per game. The 6-foot-6 forward/center reacted to some fans saying she should have been selected as one of 12 All-Star reserves by WNBA coaches.

“I mean yeah,” Stevens continued. “I think I’ve been having a great year, but you know it is what it is. All I can do is go out and play as hard as I can and just keep doing what I can do. That’s all I’ll say on it.”

Thursday’s game, which begins at noon, will be Kids Day, which usually results in a sellout crowd, creating a louder-than-usual environment because of thousands of young fans.

LYNX (17-3) AT SPARKS (6-13)

When: Thursday, noon

Where: Crypto.com Arena

TV: Spectrum SportsNet

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 05: Natasha Howard #6 of the Indiana Fever shoots the ball against Azura Stevens #23 of the Sparks during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 5, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 05: Rickea Jackson #2 and Julie Vanloo #6 of the Sparks battle for the ball against Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 5, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 05: Azura Stevens #23 of the Sparks reacts after defeating the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 5, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 05: Mercedes Russell #21 and Emma Cannon #32 of the Sparks react after defeating the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 5, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 5: Emma Cannon #32 of the Sparks and Natasha Howard #6 of the Indiana Fever battle for the ball during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 5, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 5: Sydney Colson #51 of the Indiana Fever blocks the shot of Rickea Jackson #2 of the Sparks during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 5, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 5: Kelsey Plum #10 of the Sparks drives to the basket against Lexie Hull #10 of the Indiana Fever during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 5, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 5: Dearica Hamby #5 of the Sparks shoots the ball against Aliyah Boston #7 of the Indiana Fever during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 5, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 5: Rickea Jackson #2 of the Sparks looks to shoot the ball as Natasha Howard #6 of the Indiana Fever commits the foul during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 5, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 5: Rae Burrell #12 of the Sparks falls to the ground as Emma Cannon #32 of the Los Angeles Sparks and Makayla Timpson #21 of the Indiana Fever reach for the ball during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 5, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS — Azurá Stevens scored 21 points and added 12 rebounds, Kelsey Plum added 20 points and the Los Angeles Sparks won at Indianapolis for the second time in nine days, defeating the Fever, minus Caitlin Clark, 89-87 on Saturday night.

Since dominating the fourth quarter en route to an 89-87 win, the Sparks had lost two straight. The Fever had won three, including the Commissioner’s Cup, without Clark. She missed her fifth consecutive game with a groin injury.

This game was close throughout. The Sparks’ biggest lead was three points in the first quarter, and the Fever went up by eight midway through the third.

Dearica Hamby scored 18 points for the Sparks (6-13) and Rickea Jackson added 15, including the go-ahead basket that made it 88-87 with 57.4 seconds left.

Indiana missed its last five shots, four in the final minute. Stevens rebounded a miss and was fouled, making a free throw with 3.3 seconds to go. The Fever used their reset timeout but Aliyah Boston missed a shot from the top of the key.

Boston led Indiana (9-9) with 23 points and 12 rebounds, and Natasha Howard had 21 points and nine rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell added 19 points. Howard surpassed 2,000 career rebounds and Mitchell, who reached 600 3-pointers with three, broke a tie with Fever assistant coach Briann January with her 251st game for the Fever, second behind Tamika Catchings.

Mitchell had 13 points and Plum 11 in an evenly played first half that featured nine ties and nine lead changes before Indiana went on top 45-42. Plum scored the last seven LA points of the third quarter for a 70-69 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Natasha Cloud scored 11 of her season-high 23 points in the third quarter and sparked a huge run to lead the New York Liberty to an 89-79 victory over the Sparks, while Burrell saw her first action since injuring her knee in the season opener.

Breanna Stewart added 17 points and 14 rebounds and Sabrina Ionescu had 20 points for New York (12-5), which won for just the third time in its past eight games following a season-opening nine-game winning streak.

The Sparks led 53-42 midway through the third before Cloud and Ionescu got going. Cloud’s three-point play sparked a 13-0 run and then Ionescu scored 10 straight points to give the Liberty a 63-59 advantage.

New York, which outscored the Sparks 32-18 in the third, extended its lead to 69-59 by the end of the period. The Sparks (5-13) cut the margin to five on a Dearica Hamby basket with 3:30 left, but following a turnover by Cloud, Hamby missed a 3-point attempt and Leonie Fiebich sank a 3-pointer on the next possession to push the lead back to eight and help secure the win.

Ionescu missed 10 of her first 11 shots before scoring 17 of her points in the second half. Ionescu, who finished 7 for 18 from the floor, hit the go-ahead basket during the third-quarter surge.

Hamby scored 25 points to lead the Sparks, who continued to struggle protecting leads and lost for the sixth time in seven games. Kelsey Plum added 13 points on 2-of-10 shooting, but the Sparks shot 48.2% overall.

Burrell checked in late in the first quarter and played 12 minutes, finishing with five points.

Kennedy Burke sank four of the Liberty’s 12 3-pointers while scoring 12 points. New York, which shot 42.9% for the night, scored 23 points off 18 Sparks turnovers.

New York was still playing without star forward Jonquel Jones, who has been sidelined with a sprained ankle. Jones told reporters on Wednesday that she’s progressing well, but she didn’t want to put a timetable on her return. The Liberty welcomed back Fiebich, who had been playing for Germany in the EuroBasket tournament over the last few weeks.

The Sparks built a 41-37 halftime lead, then Hamby scored seven consecutive Sparks points for their 53-42 lead with 6:07 left in the third. The Liberty then outscored them 27-6 the rest of the quarter.

Liberty guard Marine Johannes had two standout plays in the first half. She hit a 3-pointer off one foot as the shot clock ran out, and later made a no-look, behind-the-back pass to Stewart for a layup.

SPARKS ADD VANLOO

Julie Vanloo stood outside Barclays Center waiting the final minutes to clear waivers.

She had flown to New York a day earlier after getting cut by the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday. When the clock struck 5, she walked into the arena and joined her new team, the Sparks.

It has been a rollercoaster week for the 32-year-old, who helped Belgium win the EuroBasket title. She skipped the celebration in Belgium to fly back to San Francisco to rejoin the Valkyries only to be waived an hour after her arrival.

“To hear one hour upon arrival: we have to waive you. Honestly, that stung. I understand it’s business, but nothing prepares you for the loneliness that comes with getting cut,” she said on social media. “It feels like the whole world suddenly crashes on your shoulders.”

The Sparks were happy to add her, giving the team another talented guard.

“I’m so happy, so excited for her,” said Sparks guard Julie Allemand, who played on the Belgium team with Vanloo. “First of all, happy to have her on the team. She’s going to help us a lot, but happy for her because, like, the last days were crazy for her.”

Allemand said she had been talking to her friend all week and had hoped the Sparks would pick her up after she was cut. She was texting with Vanloo in the final minutes leading up to her joining the team. It takes 48 hours for players to clear waivers.

“It was crazy because, like, we were in the locker room and we were waiting for her,” Allemand said. “Like, she was waiting outside.”

Sparks first-year coach Lynne Roberts was thrilled to get Vanloo. In the preseason she torched the Sparks with four 3-pointers in what felt like less than two minutes.

“When we heard that the Valkyries had waived her, I immediately said to our GM, let’s see if we can get her,” Roberts said.

Vanloo came in early in the second quarter and played two minutes.

“Safe to say, she’s not familiar with the playbook quite yet,” Roberts said before the game.

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

Candace Parker smiles towards her wife Anna Petrakova in the second half 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)

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

Candace Parker speaks to the media prior to the start of a WNBA basketball game between the Chicago Sky and the Sparks at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 29, 2025. (Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

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

Candace Parker’s jersey hangs in the rafters after it was retired during a half time ceremony at the Crypto.com Arena in the second half 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)

LOS ANGELES — There’s a theory, I suspect, in running a sports franchise that says when the present is dreary or discouraging, make your message about the past.

Then again, any time is a good time to honor Candace Parker – a transformational figure in women’s basketball, three-time WNBA champion, two-time MVP (one of those the same season she was Rookie of the Year, which puts her in a very exclusive club) and almost certainly a future Basketball Hall of Famer.

For 13 seasons, Parker was a member of the Sparks, and for most of that time, she was the team’s soul, its leader and its star. She learned well from Lisa Leslie, who was the cornerstone of the franchise when it and its league were launched in 1997.

Those two, whose careers overlapped in Parker’s rookie season of 2008, share an outsized chunk of the franchise’s legacy, especially since the Sparks haven’t made the playoffs since Parker left following the 2020 season. And with the current team in rebuild mode, and facing another of Parker’s former teams in Sunday’s game against the Chicago Sky – a 92-85 loss, dropping the Sparks to 5-12 this season – what better time for the organization to celebrate one of its legends?

Parker’s No. 3 was officially retired Sunday at halftime, and she revealed during the ceremony that even as one who grew up in Chicago before becoming a college superstar at Tennessee and the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2008 WNBA draft, when the lottery to determine that No. 1 pick took place she was not rooting for her hometown team to get it.

Michael Jordan may have turned Chicago into a basketball town, but the allure of Showtime had captured her attention well before that.

“My idea of Hollywood was through basketball,” Parker said during the halftime ceremony. “It wasn’t the glitz or the glam or the red carpets. It was the ’80s, Kareem and Magic, the Showtime Lakers. It was the early 2000s (Sparks) back-to-back with smooth Lisa Leslie, Delisha Milton Jones and Michael Cooper. It was the Kobe and Shaq era of the three-peat in the early 2000s. It was (the movie) ‘Love and Basketball.’

“I wanted the (lottery) balls to fall in L.A.’s court. I wanted to be out west. I wanted to be with all the eyeballs, and the lights, where there’s ginormous shoes to fill.”

When she got here, Cooper – now a Hall of Famer, then the Sparks’ coach, and before that an integral part of those ’80s Lakers teams – told her this: “If you win here, you’re a champion forever.”

Parker’s Sparks won it in 2016, the franchise’s third championship. It’s probably not an accident that as the franchise’s three retired jerseys are now arranged, Penny Toler’s 11 and Leslie’s 9 flank the 2016 championship banner. Parker’s No. 3 was unveiled just below it.

She went on to win two more championships after leaving L.A., winning with Chicago in 2021 and Las Vegas in 2023, and that suggests that there may be at least one more jersey retirement ceremony in her future, maybe two. But that 2016 title and those 13 seasons in purple and gold are an integral part of Parker’s legacy and also an integral part of the franchise’s lore, as well.

“Seeing the (No.) 3 in the rafters, where I first picked up the ball and where it’s home now, is incredible,” said Parker in a pregame media session. “I lived here longer than I’ve lived anywhere else. And so (it’s) super important for me to be able to see this jersey in the rafters before any of the other ones (in Chicago and/or Las Vegas), because I think my 13 years here were super special.

“You know, it was ups, downs, wins, losses, heartbreaks and rewards. But I think it’s just super special to be able to share that with the teammates and coaches and organization that, you know, bet on me, picked me first in the 2008 WNBA draft. … That was a long time ago.”

She paid it forward as a player. Nneka Ogwumike, who won her own MVP award with the Sparks and is now with Seattle, talked earlier this season about how Parker influenced her to understand the game “from a different lens, perhaps maybe from a more advanced perspective.”

And, Ogwumike noted, Parker’s ability to drift out of the post and knock down shots from the perimeter helped expand the possibilities of the game for the next generation of big players.

“Traditional basketball is post-up, and then you have the guards, and it was forbidden territory to, like, leave the paint,” Ogwumike said. “But Candace is someone who kind of evolved that position, as a point forward. And that’s now especially more of a coveted role, because you can play both inside and out, and it’s a very hard position to guard.”

For all of Parker’s contributions to her team and her sport, how much of that resonates with the current Sparks?

First-year head coach Lynne Roberts talked before the game about how she hoped that “our players take from this is the legacy that is being a Spark. There’s been some incredible women that have put on that jersey, and it’s our job to carry that torch forward and to get that franchise back where it belongs.”

She said she thought her current players recognized and/or embraced the franchise’s legacy, rather than considering it just part of something before their time.

“We’re one of the OG franchises, right?” Roberts said. “And there’s some responsibility that comes with that, as a player, as a coach. So yeah, I do think they do (pay attention to it). I haven’t asked, but we talked (after Saturday’s practice) about what it means to put on a Spark jersey, and the great ones that have put it on before, the nets that have been cut down in that jersey. It’s our responsibility to get it back that way.”

That may take a while, so maybe emphasizing the past will help.

jalexander@scng.com