Felicia Enriquez, aka Mynt J, is the host of the podcast BlackLove and Basketball – Compton Version. She is an NBA credentialed creator representing thePeachBasket. On this article, Los Angeles Sparks Stumble in Second Standoff In opposition to Valkyries, she recaps the Los Angeles Sparks loss towards the Valkyries!
The Los Angeles Sparks returned to Crypto.com Enviornment with a rating to settle. After a decent loss to Phoenix, the Sparks had been anticipated to bounce again towards the Golden State Valkyries—a brand new franchise nonetheless discovering its footing. However as an alternative of redemption, what unfolded was a irritating 82-73 loss that uncovered outdated wounds and raised new considerations.
Early Aggression, Quick-Lived Momentum
Dearica Hamby got here out with goal, hitting early buckets and giving the house crowd one thing to cheer for. The Sparks led after the primary quarter, 26–24, however that will be the excessive level. The Valkyries stormed forward within the second, outscoring the Sparks 25–9 in a body that left Head Coach Lynne Roberts visibly pissed off.
“We bought caught attempting to do an excessive amount of one on one. Yeah, it’s unhealthy. We gotta repair it,” Roberts stated postgame. “We haven’t achieved it but this season.”
Los Angeles Sparks Stumble: No Assist, No Stream
Because the Valkyries keyed in on Kelsey Plum—trapping her a number of instances—nobody stepped as much as relieve the strain. Plum, who made her first three photographs, rapidly went chilly. She completed with 16 factors on 6-of-18 capturing and simply 2-of-10 from three. The Sparks offense stalled whereas Golden State attacked in transition and punished missed assignments. Azurá Stevens and Hamby tried to maintain the Sparks afloat, however they couldn’t reverse the momentum alone.
Psychological Lapses and Missed Alternatives
The Sparks had 18 whole turnovers and allowed 22 factors off these errors. They typically relied on drawing fouls within the paint however solely transformed 16-of-22 free throws (72.7%). That lack of effectivity on the line made each miscue really feel heavier.
Regardless of being down three gamers, Roberts pressured the significance of placing collectively a full 40 minutes—mentally and bodily.
“We missed some photographs we had been anticipating to make, and that simply affected our protection,” she stated. “Like we weren’t operating, we weren’t transferring it.”
Vivid Spots and Season Highs
Dearica Hamby delivered her greatest efficiency of the season, setting a season excessive with 25 factors—simply 4 shy of her profession excessive—and matching her profession excessive in blocks with three. She additionally recorded a season-high 9 made area objectives, and notched her first block of the season within the first quarter.
Odyssey Sims scored a season-high 13 factors, going 4-for-13 from the sector and 3-for-6 from past the arc.
Sarah Ashlee Barker continued her progress, recording the primary offensive rebound of her WNBA profession. She set profession highs in rebounds (4), steals (2), factors (7), and made area objectives (2-for-7). She additionally led the Sparks with 4 assists.
Azurá Stevens and Julie Allemand every set season highs in assists with three and two, respectively. Stevens additionally surpassed the 200-assist mark for her profession.
Hamby and Odyssey Confirmed Life, However It Wasn’t Sufficient
Dearica Hamby completed with 25 factors and 6 rebounds, preventing to the ultimate whistle. Azurá Stevens grabbed 10 rebounds, matching Golden State’s Kayla Thornton on the glass. Odyssey Sims chipped in 13 factors. Sarah Ashlee Barker dished out 4 assists to steer the workforce in that class.
Barker, exhibiting psychological progress, stated:
“Simply [have a] next-play mentality,” she defined. “We play Chicago in 36 hours, so that you gotta transfer on to the following and be prepared for the following second.”
Fourth Quarter Combat—Too Little, Too Late
The Sparks outscored the Valkyries 20–14 within the ultimate interval, however the gap they dug was too deep. A few late buckets gave the phantasm of a comeback, however defensive breakdowns and missed free throws sealed their destiny.
The Verdict
The Valkyries is likely to be new to the league, however they weren’t about to let Kelsey Plum or the Sparks embarrass them twice. Golden State got here in with a chip on their shoulder—and L.A. got here in with no plan B.
The Sparks shot simply 38.7% from the sector and 34.6% from three-point vary. Their execution down the stretch—missed layups, sloppy passes, and defensive lapses—continues to harm them in winnable video games.
However right here’s the factor: it’s solely 4 video games in. And perception nonetheless lives in that locker room.
Coach Roberts believes on this workforce—and so do I. In a one-on-one after apply, Coach Roberts broke it down with calm humble confidence:
“Basketball is a recreation of probabilities,” she stated. “We need to take higher photographs than our opponent—that means we’re getting extra probabilities by not turning the ball over, rebounding very well, and being intentional with our photographs. If we do this, we must always do properly.”
Whereas she takes it recreation by recreation, her eyes are on the larger image. This isn’t a rebuild—it’s about maximizing alternative and making each possession depend.
This loss hurts as a result of the potential is actual. As a result of they know what they’re able to.
You are taking it one recreation at a time. You play the sport proper, and it’ll come collectively. Each workforce hits turbulence. It’s what you do in response that defines you.
The Sparks at the moment are 1-3 and observing a tough stretch forward. But when this workforce desires to make actual noise, the accountability can’t simply are available in postgame quotes—it has to point out up in defensive stops, smarter choices, and leaders stepping up just a bit bit extra within the absence of their teammates.
Subsequent up: The Sparks host the Chicago Sky. Time to show potential into manufacturing—and hold constructing, one recreation at a time.
