LOS ANGELES — The Sparks are looking to end the first half of the season on their first winning streak by picking up another much-needed victory against the Washington Mystics at Crypto.com Arena Tuesday night.
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
