LA Sparks lose home opener to Minnesota Lynx 89-75
Was it a virtuoso 37-point performance like we saw Kelsey Plum deliver against the still-developing Valkyries? No. Was it a dominant performance by the 2024 runner-up Minnesota Lynx? In some ways, yes—and in a few critical ways for the Sparks, unfortunately not.
From the outset, the Sparks demonstrated how their new lineup, featuring Plum seamlessly transitioning between shooting guard and point guard from possession to possession, can create challenging pick-and-roll scenarios for even the most seasoned defenses. Early combinations involving Azura Stevens, benefiting from clean looks generated through dribble handoff actions between Plum, Dearica Hamby, and Rickea Jackson, proved that the Sparks can orchestrate meaningful runs, especially in the open floor during transition play.
However, the Sparks hit a wall in the third quarter, unable to remove the lid from the basket, which allowed the Lynx to stretch their lead into double digits. Minnesota capitalized by settling into their offensive sets while forcing turnovers from a Sparks offense still in the early stages of cohesion. Led by Napheesa Collier’s team-high 23 points, the Lynx dominated down the stretch, comfortably controlling the second half and effectively shutting down any Sparks' momentum.
The silver lining for the Sparks, who now sit at 1-1, is that they remain without Cameron Brink. Brink's return will add significant depth to the frontcourt rotations, providing Plum with additional options in pick-and-roll sets, which should enhance spacing and give the team an offensive versatility it hasn't seen in some time. While losing to an elite WNBA team is undoubtedly disappointing, the promising flashes shown in the first half, combined with the potential of a fully healthy roster, offer genuine reasons for optimism. The new-look Sparks are clearly here to make a statement this season. Time will tell if they can consistently put together strong performances and establish themselves as legitimate contenders.
