The Los Angeles Sparks have failed to make the playoffs for the sixth straight season. Now, as the team begins a long offseason of trying to build the team back up to a respectable level, the franchise has officially made its first big decision by firing head coach Lynne Roberts after two seasons at the helm.
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LA officially parted ways with Roberts on September 25, a day after closing their 2026 season with a 76-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. The team announced her firing with a press release on X and their website, along with a statement from Special Advisor Farhan Zaidi.
“We are grateful to Lynne for the commitment and determination she brought to the role, which was evident all the way through our last game last night,” he said.
“Lynne has cared deeply about our organization and for our players and their development. We sincerely thank her for everything she has invested in the Sparks and wish her and her family the best moving forward.”
Roberts ends her LA tenure with a 37-51 record over her two seasons, missing the playoffs both times. With them finishing as the #10 seed with a 16-28 record this season, their playoff drought increased to six consecutive seasons.
The timing of the firing is also notable considering the season the Sparks had. Despite starting the season with hopes of making it back to the playoffs, the season was completely derailed by injuries to their veteran additions, and instead of accelerating the rebuild around Cameron Brink, everything fell apart.
Kelsey Plum, acquired before the season started, was traded to the Phoenix Mercury at the midseason break, and franchise legend Nneka Ogwumike ended up retiring at the end of the season.
Roberts was seemingly aware that her being fired was a possibility, and acknowledged so following the loss to the Valkyries, but also thought that she had done enough to maintain her position.
“I think again, we’ve had two tough years of injuries, and I’m not trying to blame anything on that, it’s just the reality,” she said.
“There has been a lot of change. Our president’s been here four months. So just again, so much change.”
However, fans have already made clear what they think of the move, celebrating her firing on social media.
WNBA Fans Have Plenty to Say About Lynne Roberts’ Firing and the Sparks’ Next Move
Fans quickly flooded the comments section of the Sparks’ announcement of Lynne Roberts’ firing, and while many were happy with the move, some fans also questioned the moves that shaped the roster around her.
The most direct reaction left little room for interpretation, as one fan saw the Roberts firing as a decision that had arrived after a long wait instead of a surprising move.
“Couldn’t have happened fast enough lol,” the fan wrote.
Another user focused on what the team should do next, highlighting that the Sparks face a challenge. Firing Roberts is one decision, but finding a coach who can establish continuity and bring the team back to the playoffs is easier said than done.
“Find the right coach that has winning experience and get the culture back to winning,” their comment read.
One fan took the criticism even further with a more detailed assessment of her tenure.
“Huge mistake to bring her in. She disorganised the progress of last season. I still dont understand how we gave Rickea [Jackson] for an older ineffective player. Bring back Camille Little and build a proper team. Use charms to get Juju,” the post read.
That comment refers to the Jackson-Ariel Atkins trade LA made with the Chicago Sky, giving up the #4 pick from the 2024 draft for an established star who proceeded to have the worst season of her career. The fan’s solution of bringing back former assistant Camille Little and landing USC star JuJu Watkins is wishful thinking, but shows just how monumental of a rebuild the team faces.
On the lighter end of reactions, one fan jokingly floated the idea of a recently retired Sparks legend taking on the coaching role.
“oh, congratulations on your new job, nneka ogwumike!” the fan wrote.
Lastly, one reaction summed up the most common sentiment the Sparks received online.
“Already moving in the right direction,” the comment read.
Only time will tell if the Roberts firing is enough to put the Sparks back in the right direction when it comes to their rebuild, but fans are clear that this is a good move in the right direction.