This week featured more losing than winning for the Sparks. They started off with a defeat at home to the Liberty, then went on the road and beat the Wings and ended the weekend falling to the Mystics.
The clearest factor in both of their losses was LA’s poor defensive play. They allowed New York to score 105 points, and Washington was just shy of the century mark, scoring 95 on 59% shooting.
Add in some awful rebounding against the Mystics and this week was one where the Sparks took one step forward,
but two steps back.
So, let’s grade this week’s performances. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
Kelsey Plum
35.7 minutes, 26.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.3 blocks, 27-45 FG, 7-15 3PT, 18-22 FT, –8
Plum did her best to will the Sparks into a win against the Mystics, but her 25-point performance just wasn’t enough.
Overall, it was a solid week for Plum as she led the team in minutes played and points scored. She also shot 60% from the field and averaged 5.3 assists per game.
Grade: B+
Dearica Hamby
30 minutes, 22.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2 steals, 0.7 blocks, 27-45 FG, 2-4 3PT, 11-15 FT, +3
It’s hard to ask Hamby for more, but her defense could’ve been better against Washington. She was struggling to stop anyone and four boards from your starting big isn’t enough.
The Sparks will only go as far as Hamby and Plum take them. As unfair as it is to ask them to be near perfect, that’s what it’s going to take to make the playoffs this year.
Grade: B
Rickea Jackson
34.7 minutes, 16 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks, 18-54 FG, 8-24 3PT, 4-5 FT, -4
Jackson continues to increase her offensive production. She has earned head coach Lynne Roberts’ trust, and Jackson is now playing the second-most minutes on the team.
The only aspect that could be better for her is 3-point shooting. Jackson shot 33% from deep and took the most shots from beyond the arc with 24 this week.
Grade: B
Azurá Stevens
31.9 minutes, 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.7 blocks, 15-32 FG, 3-13 3PT, 5-5 FT, –7
This wasn’t a great week for Stevens. She struggled shooting from deep, defense was pedestrian and her rebounding numbers were down.
If the Sparks are going to do a highlight video of Stevens’ career season, games from this week will not make the final cut.
Grade: C
Julie Allemand
29.8 minutes, 4.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.7 steals, 6-15 FG, 2-10 3PT, –10
Allemand played her role well in this week’s games. She distributed the ball and kept her turnovers down to just two total across three games.
Ideally, she shoots better than 2-10 from 3-point range, but it’s a positive that she was willing to take those attempts. Now, Allemand just has to convert on those looks.
Grade: C+
Rae Burrell
17.7 minutes, 7.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 8-18 FG, 4-7 3PT, 3-4 FT, -15
On the bench, the only player who has consistently performed all year is Burrell. She provides an offensive Spark and can be trusted and depended on. Burrell scored all 10 bench points for Los Angeles against Washington and will remain a key member of the rotation the rest of the way.
Grade: B
Cameron Brink, Julie Vanloo, Sarah Ashlee Barker
This trio all played below 10 minutes, so they will not be getting a grade. Brink had the best week compared to Vanloo and Barker, but an injury against the Liberty and foul trouble when playing the Mystics led to fewer minutes for the big.
Lynne Roberts
The only players Roberts fully trusts are her starters and Burrell. After that, it depends on the situation. If Brink can stay out of foul trouble, she’ll play up to her 16-minute restriction. Vanloo’s time appears to be predicated on her production or lack thereof.
It’s hard to argue that anyone else needs to be on the court or can help the team win now, but having such a slim bench, everyone who does play has to be their best and go the distance. That’s a tough task and with the clear goal of making the playoffs, Roberts has set the standard for what will make this season a success.
This week wasn’t good enough to get the job done, and they’ll have to be better the rest of the way.
Grade: C+
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
