The Los Angeles Sparks have been one of the most unpredictable teams this season. On one night, they can be outplayed by the expansion Golden State Valkyries, and on another, they can pull off a win against one of the contenders, the Las Vegas Aces. This inconsistency points to a team still in search of its identity. However, a closer look at their performances suggests that high-scoring basketball may be their most promising path forward. Offensively, the Sparks have shown real potential.

Although still in the early stages of team development, they are already operating at full strength offensively with Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby leading the charge. Plum has been particularly instrumental, serving as the team’s top scorer and playmaker while averaging 20.9 points and 5.6 assists per game. She tied the record for the fastest player to reach 200 points and 50 assists in a single season in the game against the Valkyries. However, despite their attacking prowess, the Sparks hold a 4-8 record, a reflection of their defensive shortcomings as the team has consistently struggled to contain opponents throughout the season.

The team has been hamstrung throughout the season as Cameron Brinks has yet to come back from her ACL tear. They have a steep road ahead, going up against the Seattle Storm, who have had a better start to the season with a 6-5 record. The team, however, is going through quite the injury crisis as they are set to miss the majority of their roster. Find out in their Injury report:

Los Angeles Sparks vs Seattle Storm Injury Report

The Sparks will be without five players for their upcoming clash against the Storm. Kelsey Plum has been ruled out due to a left lower leg injury, while Cameron Brink and Rae Burrell are sidelined with knee injuries. Odyssey Sims is unavailable for personal reasons, and Julie Allemand is currently overseas.

Losing Plum will be a massive hit. Talking about her 2025 season, Plum had said, “With all due respect, we finished last, last year, so everything that we did last year was thrown out the window. I was brought here for a reason.” Yet, without Plum, the team is at a massive disadvantage, and the Sparks leadership knows that.

Talking about their season so far, coach Lynne Roberts said, “We haven’t been at full strength yet, and I feel like it’s been a lot of look great then adversity, look great then adversity and we’re learning a lot. The first half in Minnesota was the worst half of basketball we’ve played all year. Before that I thought we had put three games together where we were pretty consistent.”

In contrast, the Seattle Storm will be at full strength, except for Katie Lou Samuelson, who is out for the season with an ACL injury.

Predicted Lineups:

Los Angeles Sparks:(4-8)

Dearica Hamby

Azura Stevens

Rickea Jackson

Shey Peddy

Sarah Ashlee Barker

Seattle Storm:(6-5)

Nneka Ogwumike

Gabby Williams

Ezi Magbegor

Skylar Diggins

Erica Wheeler

Match Preview: Los Angeles Sparks vs Seattle Storm

The Sparks face a daunting challenge as they prepare to take on the Seattle Storm, a team near full strength, while Los Angeles is significantly short-handed. Central to the Sparks’ woes is the absence of Kelsey Plum, the cornerstone of their offensive identity. More than just the team’s leading scorer, Plum is the creative force behind their best moments this season. In games the Sparks have won, she has averaged 22.4 points and 8.4 assists, showcasing her ability to both score and elevate those around her. In losses, those numbers fall to 20.3 points and just 4.4 assists, underscoring how vital her playmaking is to their success.

Dearica Hamby has proven to be a strong second option, and together the pair forms the most productive scoring duo in the league. Azura Stevens and Plum are fifth in the same regard. However, with Plum unavailable, the Sparks lose not just their top performer but the central figure who connects the entire offense. Her absence disrupts the flow, tempo, and cohesion that the team relies on.

To fill the void at point guard, the Sparks may turn to hardship signee Shey Peddy or shift Sarah Ashlee Barker into a lead guard role. Neither option replicates the on-court leadership or offensive command that Plum provides, which places added pressure on the rest of the roster to step up. The team’s depth will be tested, and their margin for error becomes even slimmer.

Defensively, the Sparks have also struggled, allowing at least 88 points in five of their last seven games. Their most recent outing, a 101-78 loss to Minnesota, highlighted just how vulnerable they can be when they fail to lock in on defense. If they are to have any chance against Seattle, tightening up on that end of the floor is non-negotiable.

Still, there is a glimmer of opportunity. The Storm have not been dominant on the road, carrying a 2-3 away record into this matchup. They are also coming off a dispiriting 76-70 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, a game where they fell behind by 22 points and never fully recovered. For the Sparks, this presents a narrow window. If they can summon a high-energy, defensively focused performance and get unexpected contributions from the supporting cast, they might just keep the game competitive.