The Sparks allowed a record-setting 125 points in regulation time to the Toronto team, losing 97-125 to the Tempo. However, coach Lynne Roberts believes they can still fix their defense, despite already trying roster and tactical changes.

“No. No. We will fix it,” Roberts said during the post-match conference after their loss to the Tronto Tempo, as per Justin Russo. This was in response to Russo asking whether they had run out of answers in fixing their defense.

“Justin, you and I will talk at some point in the near future, and we will have fixed it. We’re gonna fix it. Full stop. We will fix it,” said Roberts but didn’t elaborate any further.

Their loss to the Tempo set a new WNBA record for the highest score ever recorded in a regulation, non-overtime game. And things barely looked any better against the Fever.

Fresh off the record-setting loss, the Sparks defense got steamrolled again, this time by a Caitlin Clark-less Indiana Fever. They lost 111-87, handing the Fever the biggest victory of their season.

One analyst has recently described the Sparks’ defense as ‘putting on the welcome sign in the paint’. The Sparks have the second-worst defensive rating in the league, at 114.5. They have the fourth-worst defensive rebound percentage in the league, at 66.6, and overall rebounding percentage remains fifth-worst at 47.8.

Without Cameron Brink, they have no real shot at blocking and rim protection, and Brink has missed significant game time this season because of injuries. So naturally, the Sparks struggle defensively without her. Brink is fifth in the league in blocks per game, at 1.5. Her 4.4 rebounds per game this season are the third highest for this Sparks team.

Meanwhile, Kelsey Plum has been the bright spot of this Sparks team. She leads them in scoring and is averaging 23.9 points, 6.4 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. She is second in the league on points per game, behind only reigning MVP A’ja Wilson. But her scoring prowess has not been enough to mask a poor defense.

The Sparks Continue To Struggle With Roster and Injury Issues

Kelsey Plum has recently been ruled out for 4 weeks due to a leg injury. Cameron Brink has had recurrent injury issues and has missed games against the Golden State Valkyries, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, and Toronto.

Brink suffered an ankle injury last week and had to be helped off the court and into the locker room afterwards. Coach Roberts does not expect both of these players to make the roster anytime soon. Roberts said she didn’t expect Brink to come back “in the short term,” as per LASR.

Roberts has also relied on Kate Martin, a player on a developmental league contract. She has even used Martin ahead of some first-team starters. But with the cap of 12 games fast approaching, the Sparks will have to make a tough decision on whether to sign her by cutting a player or to let her go.

If veteran Nneka Ogwumike had not stepped up with their two way output, the Sparks would be in far worse trouble. An 8-10 record does not spell disaster yet, but things can quickly go south from here.

While the Sparks coach has promised to deal with the defensive issue, the stats paint a bleak picture. With their defensive piece on the bench, time will tell what solution Roberts may come up with.