It’s a clash of trajectories. The 4–7 Los Angeles Sparks are trying to claw back into playoff relevance, while the 9–1 Minnesota Lynx are riding a wave of momentum. On June 14 at the Target Center, it’s not just a regular-season game—it’s Kelsey Plum’s shot at toppling the Collier-led conference dominators. The Sparks may be banged up, but Plum and Rickea Jackson? They’re heating up at just the right time.

This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about heart, timing, and the kind of grit that turns mid-June matchups into tone-setters. And tonight, all eyes will be on two All-Stars, two different paths, and one defining matchup.

Injury Report: Battle of the Battered

The Sparks will once again miss a chunk of their depth. Guard Julie Allemand (out until July 5), rookie standout Cameron Brink (no timetable), and Rae Burrell (out until June 29) remain sidelined. Brink’s absence looms largest. “There’s still no timetable,” head coach Lynne Roberts said on June 4. “She’s done a little bit, but it’s all been non-contact.”

Minnesota’s only key absentee is forward Jessica Shepard, ruled out through at least July 6. But in terms of continuity, that lone missing piece puts the Lynx in a much more favorable position.

Projected Starting Fives

Los Angeles Sparks:

• Kelsey Plum (#10)
• Odyssey Sims (#0)
• Rickea Jackson (#2)
• Azura Stevens (#23)
• Dearica Hamby (#5)

Minnesota Lynx:

• Courtney Williams (#10)
• Kayla McBride (#21)
• Napheesa Collier (#24)
• Alanna Smith (#8)
• Bridget Carleton (#6)

With Collier and McBride headlining Minnesota’s well-oiled lineup, the Sparks will lean heavily on their star guard—Plum—and hope Rickea Jackson can ride her momentum from a 30-point night against the Aces into hostile territory.

The Showdown: Plum vs. Collier

This is a classic basketball narrative: scorer vs. superstar, shooter vs. system.

Kelsey Plum has averaged 21.0 points per game, shooting 89.2% from the line, showing once again that when the pressure mounts, she’s the one with the ball. On June 12 against Las Vegas, she exploded for a statement win—97-89—on enemy turf. The Sparks don’t win that without her.

On the other side? Napheesa Collier, putting up MVP-level numbers: 25.4 points per game, 50.6% from the field, 92.6% from the line. She’s more than a star; she’s the spine of Minnesota’s 9–1 start, a player who does everything from rim protection to clutch buckets.

In their last meeting on May 19, the Lynx beat the Sparks 89–75, controlling tempo and outmuscling L.A. on both ends.

Prediction: Can Plum Break the Wall?

The Lynx have won nine of their last ten and boast the best point differential in the West, giving up just 75.7 points per game. They also lead the conference in assists (23.9), blocks (4.5), and field goal percentage (46.5%)—a testament to their fluid offense and disciplined defense. But don’t mistake their dominance for invincibility. Just days ago, they were handed a reality check by one of their fiercest rivals, the New York Liberty. That loss stung—and with pride on the line, expect Minnesota to come out guns blazing in this one.

The Sparks? Better recently—3 wins in their last 5—but inconsistent. They’ve allowed 84.6 points per game, a defensive liability against a team that moves the ball like Minnesota.

Still, this is basketball. Sometimes the playbook gets shredded by a hot hand.

Kelsey Plum is that hand.
Rickea Jackson is coming off one of her best games as a pro.
And Minnesota, for all its brilliance, just lost to Seattle 94–84.

If there’s a moment for the Sparks to strike, it’s now.

Prediction: Lynx win, but the Sparks make them sweat. Expect a tighter contest than Game 1—something like 85–80, Minnesota. But if Plum Jackson and Hamby go nuclear? All bets are off.

Because some nights in basketball, one player can take down a whole system, and the Sparks have the highest scoring starting lineup in the league.