NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
A few things are facts for the LA Sparks so far this season. It’s only been two games this season, so some fans need to really relax. And number two, as much as we want it, Rickea isn’t coming back.
OK, now that we’ve got through that, let’s discuss the team through these first two games and the upcoming series with a fun and talented Toronto Tempo team.
Who is The Floor General?
Kelsey Plum is a legit bucket getter, period, and she is great at it. But, if you watched her at Oregon, Vegas, and now in LA, she is not a true point guard. The Sparks have next to no ball movement, and the ball sticks in her hands more often than not.
She has to cut down on her turnovers as well. Getting a pure point guard should have been higher on the to-do list this past offseason.
As a result, the team is currently at or near the bottom of the league for offensive rating, defensive rating, and net rating.
Getting the ball moving should create easier shots as well as allow players to get the ball where they like and increase the field goal percentage overall. That includes shots from deep, another area that isn’t a highlight early on this season.
I know it’s hard to get a tiger to change its stripes, but if Plum can dial back the hero ball and trust her teammates, this offense has a chance to look a lot different and a lot better.
Chill, she’s coming
We all heard and saw the comments made by head coach Lynee Roberts about Cam Brinks and her lack of production after game ONE. So did Cam, who played in 34 career games after suffering that horrible knee injury. Coach Roberts and they need to cut her some slack and allow her confidence and game to grow.
She has the potential to be a great two-way player who will be a matchup nightmare and a dog on defense. This is shaping up to be her first true season ON the floor with no setbacks, and I’m here for it.
SWAT TEAM MEMBER CAM BRINK! @cameronbrink22 x @WNBA pic.twitter.com/I6AzXiysBD
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) May 14, 2026
If anyone knows what she has gone through to get back on the floor, it is the head coach. I found the comments out of line and misplaced. Even if she had a much better game 2, I don’t think what was said about her was needed in that public space. Being out for such a long period of time, on top of being a high draft pick for a franchise in Los Angeles, is already enough pressure.
Up Next?
This weekend, the Sparks face the Toronto Tempo in a two-game series, with game one tonight and a rematch on Sunday. Don’t sleep on this team; they are riding high off the first win in franchise history and have no intention of slowing down.
This isn’t your typical expansion team just happy to be there. With players like Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes, Toronto has been competitive from the jump. They forced a bunch of turnovers the other night and made the most of every single one.
The name says it all; they play fast, push in transition, and share the ball freely. That pace can expose a Sparks team already struggling with turnovers and ball movement. Keeping Tempo players in front will be a tall task. It doesn’t help that Sania Feagin remains out with a leg injury and Ariel Atkins is in concussion protocol.
How LA responds this weekend will tell us a lot about where this team is truly headed.
And it was great to hear that basketball legend and the first true superstar to put on a Sparks jersey, Lisa Leslie, will have a statue in front of Crypto.com Arena. A chance to recognize one of LA’s own who has a resume that can never be touched. The ceremony will take place on September 20th, before the Sparks play Portland.
Are these the two games needed for the Sparks to get right? We will see, but one thing is clear: it is too early to write this team off; some changes in play and system tweaking are needed. Until next time, have a good weekend.
