Short-handed Sparks fall to Lynx in home opener

The Los Angeles Sparks suffered a tough loss in their home opener, falling 89-75 to the Minnesota Lynx at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday. Despite a strong performance from Azurá Stevens, who scored 14 of her 21 points in the first quarter, the Sparks were unable to overcome their injuries and depth issues.

Injuries and Depth Issues

The Sparks were only able to play seven players, with several key players sidelined due to injury. "We need to get healthy," said Sparks’ first-year coach Lynne Roberts. "We don’t have a lot of depth there. It’s not like I’m choosing to not play Rickea (Jackson) in the second (half), she was hurt." The team is missing guard/forward Rae Burrell, who is expected to be out six to eight weeks with a right leg injury, as well as forward Cameron Brink and guard Julie Allemand, who are both sidelined with knee injuries.

Second-Half Struggles

The Sparks trailed 46-45 at halftime but were only able to score 30 points in the second half. "I think they just ratcheted up their pressure and we all kind of took a step back," said Stevens. The team struggled! to find a rhythm on offense, with only two players, Stevens and Dearica Hamby, scoring in double figures. Hamby added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Sparks, but it was not enough to overcome the Lynx’s strong performance.

Minnesota’s Strong Performance

The Lynx were led by forward Napheesa Collier, who scored 12 of her 23 points in the first quarter. Center Alanna Smith scored 15 points, and guard Courtney Williams had 13 points and 10 assists. Reserve center Jessica Shepard added 11 points and 10 rebounds. "We know who we are," said Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve. "We know our identity. We know that every single time we play a basketball game that we’re expecting greatness."

Game Highlights

The game was marked by several key plays, including a 3-pointer by Stevens that put the Sparks up 17-14 with 4:31 left in the first quarter. However, the Lynx began the second half on a 9-2 run, establishing a 55-47 lead with 7:15 left in the third quarter. The Sparks were unable to recover, and the Lynx outscored them by a 19-13 margin in the final 10 minutes.

Conclusion

The Sparks’ loss to the Lynx was a tough one, but the team is focused on getting healthy and improving their performance. "I want us to compete," said Coach Roberts. "You can’t let someone come in and play harder than you on your home court and expect to win, when they’re already expected to win." The team will look to bounce back in their next game against Phoenix on Wednesday.

FAQs

• Q: What was the final score of the game?
  A: The final score was 89-75 in favor of the Minnesota Lynx.
• Q: Who led the Sparks in scoring?
  A: Azurá Stevens led the Sparks with 21 points.
• Q: How many players did the Sparks have available for the game?
  A: The Sparks only had seven players available due to injuries.
• Q: When is the Sparks’ next game?
  A: The Sparks’ next game is against Phoenix on Wednesday.
• Q: What is the status of Rae Burrell’s injury?
  A: Rae Burrell is expected to be out six to eight weeks with a right leg injury.

  • Guard Kelsey Plum #10 of the Sparks reacts after fouling out in the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

  • Guard Kelsey Plum #10 of the Sparks talks to the official after receiving her fifth personal foul in the second half of a WNBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

  • Sparks Head Coach Lynne Roberts talks to an official after a call in the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

  • Forward Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx takes a shot over Forward Azura Stevens #23 of the Sparks in the second half of a WNBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

  • Forward Dearica Hamby #5 of the Sparks fouls Gorward Jessica Shepard #15 of the Minnesota Lynx as she drives to the basket in the second half of a WNBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

  • Forward Rickea Jackson #2 of the Sparks walks off the court after being tended to by training staff after a collision in the final seconds of the third quarter of a WNBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

  • Forward Bridget Carleton #6 of the Minnesota Lynx drives to the basket past Center Mercedes Russell #21 of the Sparks in the second half of a WNBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

  • Forward Bridget Carleton #6 of the Minnesota Lynx and Center Mercedes Russell #21 of the Sparks dive for the ball in the second half of a WNBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

  • Guard Natisha Hiedeman #2 of the Minnesota Lynx drives to the basket past Forward Azura Stevens #23 and Guard Sarah Ashlee Barker #13 of the Sparks in the second half of a WNBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

  • Forward Rickea Jackson #2 of the Sparks reacts after a play against the Minnesota Lynx in the second half of a WNBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

  • Forward Bridget Carleton #6 of the Minnesota Lynx drives to the basket past Guard Odyssey Sims #0 of the Sparks in the second half of a WNBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by Libby Cline-Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

  • Guard Courtney Williams #10 of the Minnesota Lynx drives the basket past Sparks defenders in the second half of a WNBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by