2025 Los Angeles Sparks season

Last updated

2025 Los Angeles Sparks season
Coach Lynne Roberts
Arena Crypto.com Arena
(Capacity: 19,068)
Attendanceper game
Results
Record1718 (.486)
Place6th (Western)
Team Leaders
Points
Rebounds
Assists
Media
Television ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, Paramount+, CBSSN, NBA TV, ION

The 2025 Los Angeles Sparks is the franchise's 29th season in the Women's National Basketball Association, and the first season under head coach Lynne Roberts.

Contents

In addition to their preseason match-up against Golden State on May 6, the Sparks also had a closed scrimmage versus Seattle on May 10 at Pauley Pavilion. [1] [2]

Draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege/ClubOutcomeRef.
19 Sarah Ashlee Barker GFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States Alabama Signed rookie contract on April 18
Made opening day roster
[3]
221 Sania Feagin F South Carolina Signed rookie contract on April 16
Made opening day roster
[3]
328 Liatu King Notre Dame Signed rookie contract on April 17
Waived on May 12
Signed rest-of-season hardship contract on May 20
Released on June 29
[4] [5]

Transactions

Front office and coaching

DateDetailsRef.
November 19, 2024Hired Lynne Roberts as head coach [6]
January 2, 2025Hired Danielle Robinson as Manager of Basketball Integration and Scout Support [7]
January 18, 2025Hired Nikki Blue and Zak Buncik as assistant coaches [8]
March 26, 2025Hired Mike Neighbors as an assistant coach [9]
Hired Sed Everett as Director of Player Development
Hired Deonte Henderson as an assistant player development coach
April 24, 2025Hired Danielle Robinson as an assistant coach
(retained role as Manager of Basketball Integration)
[10]
July 22, 2025Hired Latricia Trammell as special assistant to head coach [11]

Trades

February
February 1
(Three-team trade)
To Los Angeles Sparks
Kelsey Plum (from Las Vegas Aces)
2025 No. 9 draft pick (from Seattle Storm)
To Las Vegas Aces
Jewell Loyd (from Seattle Storm)
2025 No. 13 draft pick (from Los Angeles Sparks)
[12] [13]
To Seattle Storm
2025 No. 2 draft pick and rights to Li Yueru (from Los Angeles Sparks)
2026 first-round draft pick (from Las Vegas Aces)
February 14To Los Angeles Sparks
2025 No. 21 draft pick
2027 second round draft pick
To Seattle Storm
Lexie Brown
2025 No. 26 draft pick
[14] [15]

Free agency

Re-signed / activated

PlayerDateNotesRef.
Julie Allemand January 1Set as active [16]
July 1 [17]
Odyssey Sims February 2One-year deal [18]
Masha Kliundikova February 13Training camp contract [19]
Aari McDonald April 15 [20] [21]

Additions

PlayerDateNotesFormer TeamRef.
Emma Cannon February 2Training camp contract Henan Phoenix [22]
Anneli Maley Perth Lynx
Shaneice Swain February 5Rookie contract
(2023 draft pick – No. 14)
Sydney Flames [23]
Mercedes Russell February 11One-year deal Seattle Storm [24]
Alyssa Ustby April 15Training camp contract North Carolina Tar Heels [25]
Sania Feagin April 16Rookie contract
(2025 draft pick – No. 21)
South Carolina Gamecocks
Liatu King April 17Rookie contract
(2025 draft pick – No. 28)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
May 20Rest of season hardship contractFree agent [5]
Sarah Ashlee Barker April 18Rookie contract
(2025 draft pick – No. 9)
Alabama Crimson Tide
Shey Peddy June 14Rest of season hardship contract Athletes Unlimited [26]
Grace Berger June 17 Indiana Fever [27]
Julie Vanloo July 3Awarded off waivers Golden State Valkyries [28]
Set as active
Alissa Pili August 37-day contractFree agent [29]
August 10 [30]
August 17 [31]
August 24Rest of season contract [32]

Subtractions / unsigned

PlayerDateReasonNew TeamRef.
Crystal Dangerfield Free agency – unrestricted
Layshia Clarendon September 20, 2024RetiredN/A [33]
Stephanie Talbot December 6, 2024 Expansion draft Golden State Valkyries [34]
Zia Cooke February 1, 2025Waived Seattle Storm [35] [36]
Kia Nurse February 4, 2025Free agency – unrestricted Chicago Sky [37]
Anneli Maley May 1, 2025Waived [38]
Alyssa Ustby
Liatu King May 12, 2025 [4]
June 29, 2025Released [39]
Masha Kliundikova May 14, 2025Waived Minnesota Lynx [40]
Aari McDonald Indiana Fever
Shaneice Swain May 15, 2025 [41]
Julie Allemand June 10, 2025Suspended contract – temporaryN/A – retained rights [42]
Grace Berger June 20, 2025Released [43]
Shey Peddy July 2, 2025 [44]
Odyssey Sims Waived [45]
Mercedes Russell July 12, 2025 [46]

Roster

PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G 20 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Allemand, Julie 5' 8" (1.73m)147 lb (67kg)1996-07-07 Belgium 2
G 13 Flag of the United States.svg Barker, Sarah Ashlee 6' 0" (1.83m)2001-09-10 Alabama R
F 22 Flag of the United States.svg Brink, Cameron 6' 4" (1.93m)170 lb (77kg)2001-12-31 Stanford 1
G/F 12 Flag of the United States.svg Burrell, Rae 6' 2" (1.88m)168 lb (76kg)2000-06-21 Tennessee 3
F 32 Flag of the United States.svg Cannon, Emma 6' 2" (1.88m)190 lb (86kg)1989-06-01 Florida Southern 6
F 1 Flag of the United States.svg Feagin, Sania 6' 3" (1.91m)2003-03-15 South Carolina R
F 5 Flag of the United States.svg Hamby, Dearica 6' 3" (1.91m)189 lb (86kg)1993-11-06 Wake Forest 10
F 2 Flag of the United States.svg Jackson, Rickea 6' 2" (1.88m)175 lb (79kg)2001-03-16 Tennessee 1
F 24 Flag of the United States.svg Pili, Alissa 5' 11" (1.8m)235 lb (107kg)2001-06-08 Utah 1
G 10 Flag of the United States.svg Plum, Kelsey 5' 8" (1.73m)145 lb (66kg)1994-08-24 Washington 7
F/C 23 Flag of the United States.svg Stevens, Azurá 6' 6" (1.98m)180 lb (82kg)1996-02-01 Connecticut 7
G 35 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Vanloo, Julie 5' 8" (1.73m)1993-02-10 Belgium 1
Head coach
Flag of the United States.svg Lynne Roberts (Seattle Pacific)
Assistant coaches
Flag of the United States.svg Zak Buncik (UT Arlington)
Flag of the United States.svg Mike Neighbors (Arkansas)
Flag of the United States.svg Danielle Robinson (Oklahoma)
Player development
Flag of the United States.svg Sed Everett
Athletic trainer
Flag of the United States.svg Karissa Scherer

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

  WNBA roster page

Depth chart

Pos.StarterBench
PG Kelsey Plum Julie Vanloo
SG Julie Allemand Sarah Ashlee Barker
SF Rickea Jackson Rae Burrell
Alissa Pili
PF Dearica Hamby Emma Cannon
Sania Feagin
C Azurá Stevens Cameron Brink

Schedule

Preseason

2025 pre-season game log
Total: 1–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 1–0)
May: 1–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 6@ Golden State W 83–82 Rickea Jackson (13) Azurá Stevens (11) Dearica Hamby (6) Chase Center
17,428
1–0
2025 pre-season schedule

Regular season

2025 game log
Total: 17–18 (Home: 7–10; Road: 10–8)
May: 2–5 (Home: 1–3; Road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 16@ Golden State W 84–67 Kelsey Plum (37) Dearica Hamby (10)Plum, Sims (6) Chase Center
18,064
1–0
2May 18 Minnesota L 75–83 Azurá Stevens (21)Dearica Hamby (10)Kelsey Plum (5) Crypto.com Arena
11,170
1–1
3May 21@ Phoenix L 86–89 Kelsey Plum (25)Azurá Stevens (17)Kelsey Plum (6) PHX Arena
8,024
1–2
4May 23Golden State L 72–83 Dearica Hamby (25)Azurá Stevens (10) Sarah Ashlee Barker (4)Crypto.com Arena
10,857
1–3
5May 25 Chicago W 91–78 Kelsey Plum (28)Azurá Stevens (8)Kelsey Plum (8)Crypto.com Arena
11,422
2–3
6May 27 Atlanta L 82–88 Dearica Hamby (28)Azurá Stevens (11)Dearica Hamby (8)Crypto.com Arena
10,797
2–4
7May 30@ Las Vegas L 81–96 Kelsey Plum (17)Dearica Hamby (10)Dearica Hamby (6) Michelob Ultra Arena
10,504
2–5
June : 3–7 (Home: 0–4; Road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
8 June 1 Phoenix L 80–85 Odyssey Sims (32) Dearica Hamby (8) Julie Allemand (6) Crypto.com Arena
11,033
2–6
9 June 6 @ Dallas W 93–79 Azurá Stevens (21)Azurá Stevens (6) Kelsey Plum (9) College Park Center
6,007
3–6
10 June 9 Golden State L 81–89 (OT) Kelsey Plum (24)Dearica Hamby (9)Kelsey Plum (7)Crypto.com Arena
10,921
3–7
11 June 11 @ Las Vegas W 97–89 Rickea Jackson (30)Azurá Stevens (10)Dearica Hamby (7) Michelob Ultra Arena
10,417
4–7
12 June 14 @ Minnesota L 77–101 Kelsey Plum (20)Dearica Hamby (12)Kelsey Plum (4) Target Center
10,810
4–8
13 June 17 Seattle L 67–98 Rickea Jackson (17)Azurá Stevens (10)Hamby, Peddy (3)Crypto.com Arena
10,581
4–9
14June 21@ Minnesota L 66–82 Kelsey Plum (15)Azurá Stevens (9)Kelsey Plum (4)Target Center
8,777
4–10
15June 24@ Chicago L 86–97 Azurá Stevens (21)Hamby, Stevens (7)Hamby, Peddy, Plum (5) Wintrust Arena
8,004
4–11
16June 26@ Indiana W 85–75 Azurá Stevens (23)Hamby, Stevens (7)Kelsey Plum (6) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
17,274
5–11
17June 29Chicago L 85–92 Kelsey Plum (22)Dearica Hamby (10)Kelsey Plum (7)Crypto.com Arena
13,523
5–12
July : 6–3 (Home: 2–2; Road: 4–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
18July 3@ New York L 79–89 Dearica Hamby (25)Dearica Hamby (9) Kelsey Plum (8) Barclays Center
15,956
5-13
19July 5@ Indiana W 89–87 Azurá Stevens (21)Azurá Stevens (12) Allemand, Jackson (5) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
17,274
6-13
20July 10 Minnesota L 82–91 Kelsey Plum (17)Azurá Stevens (10)Kelsey Plum (12) Crypto.com Arena
18,199
6–14
21July 13 Connecticut W 92–86 Kelsey Plum (23)Azurá Stevens (11)Julie Allemand (6)Crypto.com Arena
7–14
22July 15 Washington W 99–80 Dearica Hamby (26)Azurá Stevens (8)Julie Allemand (10)Crypto.com Arena
10,787
8–14
All-Star Game
23July 22@ Washington W 93–86 Dearica Hamby (24)Dearica Hamby (14)Kelsey Plum (7) CareFirst Arena
4,200
9–14
24July 24@ Connecticut W 101–86 Kelsey Plum (30)Dearica Hamby (11)Kelsey Plum (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,375
10–14
25July 26@ New York W 101–99 Rickea Jackson (24)Azurá Stevens (11)Julie Allemand (10)Barclays Center
16,024
11–14
26July 29 Las Vegas L 74–89 Kelsey Plum (22)Azurá Stevens (8)Kelsey Plum (8)Crypto.com Arena
12,449
11–15
August: 6–3 (Home: 4–1; Road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
27August 1@ Seattle W 108–106 (2OT) Rickea Jackson (27) Dearica Hamby (13) Kelsey Plum (7) Climate Pledge Arena
11,354
12–15
28August 5 Indiana W 100–91 Jackson, Plum (25) Julie Allemand (8)Kelsey Plum (11) Crypto.com Arena
16,035
13–15
29August 7 Connecticut W 102–91 Dearica Hamby (21)Julie Allemand (10)Julie Allemand (11)Crypto.com Arena
10,780
14–15
30August 9@ Golden State L 59–72 Dearica Hamby (15)Jackson, Stevens (6)Kelsey Plum (4) Chase Center
18,064
14–16
31August 10Seattle W 94–91 Kelsey Plum (20)Azurá Stevens (8)Julie Allemand (8)Crypto.com Arena
11,796
15–16
32August 12 New York L 97–105 Kelsey Plum (26)Dearica Hamby (8)Julie Allemand (6)Crypto.com Arena
11,862
15–17
33August 15@ Dallas W 97–96 Kelsey Plum (28)Dearica Hamby (10)Julie Allemand (10) College Park Center
6,116
16–17
34August 17@ Washington L 86–95 Dearica Hamby (26)Dearica Hamby (4)Dearica Hamby (7) CareFirst Arena
4,200
16–18
35August 20Dallas W 81–80 Rickea Jackson (25)Dearica Hamby (9)Julie Allemand (8)Crypto.com Arena
13,598
17–18
36August 26 Phoenix Crypto.com Arena
37August 29 Indiana Crypto.com Arena
38August 31WashingtonCrypto.com Arena
September: 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
39September 1@ Seattle Climate Pledge Arena
40September 3@ Atlanta Gateway Center Arena
41September 5@ AtlantaGateway Center Arena
42September 7 Dallas Crypto.com Arena
43September 9@ Phoenix PHX Arena
44September 11 Las Vegas Crypto.com Arena
2025 season schedule

Notes:

Standings

#Team W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1xMinnesota Lynx 307.81118–218–112–65–1
2 Atlanta Dream 2413.649612–612–512–83–2
3 Las Vegas Aces 2414.6326.514–814–510–92–4
4 Phoenix Mercury 2214.6117.512–912–610–84–2
5 New York Liberty 2215.595811–514–58–104–1
6 Seattle Storm 2018.52610.510–118–1012–84–2
7 Golden State Valkyries 1918.514118–1210–79–113–3
8cIndiana Fever 1918.5141111–910–99–94–1
9 Los Angeles Sparks 1718.486127–127–1010–82–4
10 Washington Mystics 1622.42114.58–910–106–122–3
11eConnecticut Sun 927.25020.57–96–123–151–4
12eChicago Sky 927.25020.53–155–144–131–4
13eDallas Wings 929.23721.53–175–154–141–5

Notes

(#) – League Standing
c – Commissioner's Cup winners
x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from playoff contention
Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings

Awards and honors

RecipientAwardDate awardedRef.
Dearica Hamby Western Conference Player of the Week July 29 [47]
Kelsey Plum WNBA All-Star Reserve July 7 [48]

References

  1. Los Angeles Sparks [@LASparks] (May 12, 2025). "Scenes from our closed scrimmage vs. Storm" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  2. Ali, Qasim (May 9, 2025). "Storm heads to LA for scrimmage with regular season looming". Herald et. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Los Angeles Sparks [@LASparks] (May 15, 2025). "Your 2025 Los Angeles Sparks" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  4. 1 2 LA Sparks PR [@LASparksPR] (May 11, 2025). "The Los Angeles Sparks have waived forward Liatu King" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  5. 1 2 "Sparks Sign Liatu King to Hardship Contract". Los Angeles Sparks. WNBA. May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  6. "Sparks hire Utah's Roberts as new head coach". ESPN . November 19, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  7. "Sparks Name Danielle Robinson Manager of Basketball Integration and Scout Support". Los Angeles Sparks. WNBA. January 2, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  8. "Sparks Add Coaching Veterans Nikki Blue, Zak Buncik to Staff". Los Angeles Sparks. WNBA. January 18, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  9. "Sparks Bolster Coaching Staff with Mike Neighbors and Sed Everett Additions". Los Angeles Sparks. WNBA. March 26, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  10. "Sparks Name Danielle Robinson Assistant Coach". Los Angeles Sparks. WNBA. April 24, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  11. "Latricia Trammell returns to Sparks as special assistant to coach". ESPN . July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  12. "Las Vegas Aces Welcome Two-Time WNBA Champion Jewell Loyd in Three-Team Trade". Las Vegas Aces. WNBA. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  13. "Storm Acquire No. 2 Pick in the 2025 Draft, Rights to Li Yueru and 2026 First Round Pick". Seattle Storm. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  14. "Storm Acquire WNBA Champion Lexie Brown". Seattle Storm. February 14, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  15. "Sparks Acquire Two Second-Round Draft Picks in Exchange for Lexie Brown". Los Angeles Sparks. WNBA. February 14, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  16. @WNBAMoves (January 9, 2025). "Set Active: Julie Allemand, Sparks (Jan. 1)" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  17. Underdog WNBA [@UnderdogWNBA] (July 1, 2025). "Julie Allemand (overseas commitment) set to active by the Sparks" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  18. "Sparks Re-Sign WNBA All-Star Guard Odyssey Sims". Los Angeles Sparks. WNBA. February 2, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  19. "Sparks Welcome Back Former First-Round Pick Maria Kliundikova (formerly Vadeeva)". sparks.wnba.com. Los Angeles Sparks. February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  20. Yapkowitz, David (January 19, 2025). "Sparks make crucial Aari McDonald decision ahead of WNBA free agency". Clutch Points. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  21. "Sparks Re-Sign Veteran Guard Aari McDonald". Los Angeles Sparks. April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  22. "Sparks Sign Forwards Emma Cannon, Anneli Maley". Los Angeles Sparks. WNBA. February 2, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  23. "Sparks Sign Guard Shaneice Swain". Los Angeles Sparks. WNBA. February 5, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  24. "Sparks Sign Two-Time WNBA Champion Center Mercedes Russell". sparks.wnba.com. Los Angeles Sparks. February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  25. "Tar Heel Duo Earns WNBA Training Camp Invites". Go Heels. April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  26. "Sparks Sign Shey Peddy to Hardship Contract". Los Angeles Sparks. WNBA. June 14, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  27. LA Sparks PR [@LASparksPR] (June 17, 2025). "The Los Angeles Sparks have signed guard Grace Berger to a rest-of-season hardship contract" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  28. "Sparks Sign Guard Julie Vanloo". Los Angeles Sparks. WNBA. July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  29. "Sparks Sign Alissa Pili to 7-Day Contract". Los Angeles Sparks . WNBA. August 3, 2025. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  30. LA Sparks PR [@LASparksPR] (August 10, 2025). "Forward Alissa Pili has signed a second 7-day contract with the Sparks" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  31. LA Sparks PR [@LASparksPR] (August 17, 2025). "The Sparks have signed forward Alissa Pili to a third 7-day contract" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  32. LA Sparks PR [@LASparksPR] (August 24, 2025). "The Sparks have signed forward Alissa Pili to a rest-of-season contract" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  33. "Los Angeles Sparks guard Layshia Clarendon retires after 12 years in the WNBA". Associated Press . September 20, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  34. "Golden State Valkyries begin constructing inaugural roster with 11 selections in 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft". nba.com. NBA . Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  35. @LASparksPR (February 1, 2025). "The Sparks have waived guard Zia Cooke" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  36. "Seattle Signs Zia Cooke and Brianna Fraser". storm.wnba.com. WNBA. February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  37. "Chicago Sky Sign WNBA All-Star Kia Nurse". Chicago Sky. February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  38. LA Sparks PR [@LASparksPR] (May 1, 2025). "The Los Angeles Sparks have waived forward Anneli Maley and guard-forward Alyssa Ustby" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  39. LA Sparks PR [@LASparksPR] (June 29, 2025). "The Los Angeles Sparks have waived forward Liatu King" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  40. LA Sparks PR [@LASparksPR] (May 14, 2025). "The Los Angeles Sparks have waived guard Aari McDonald and center Masha Kliundikova" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  41. LA Sparks PR [@LASparksPR] (May 15, 2025). "The Los Angeles Sparks have waived guard Shaneice Swain" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  42. Geffner, Ben (June 11, 2025). "Sparks' Player Leaves Team in Sudden Extended Absence". Sports Illustrated . WNBA. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  43. LA Sparks PR [@LASparksPR] (June 20, 2025). "The Los Angeles Sparks have waived guard Grace Berger" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  44. LA Sparks PR [@LASparksPR] (July 2, 2025). "Roster Update: With the return of guard-forward Rae Burrell from injury, the Sparks have waived guard Shey Peddy" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  45. LA Sparks PR [@LASparksPR] (July 2, 2025). "The Los Angeles Sparks have waived guard Odyssey Sims" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  46. LA Sparks PR [@LASparksPR] (July 12, 2025). "The Los Angeles Sparks have waived center Mercedes Russell" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  47. "Dearica Hamby Named Western Conference Player of the Week". Los Angeles Sparks . WNBA. July 29, 2025. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  48. Feinberg, Doug (July 6, 2025). "WNBA All-Star Game: Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron among reserves". Associated Press . Retrieved July 6, 2025.