LOS ANGELES -- The Sparks have experienced something new this season. They won their second straight game for the first time in 2025.
Los Angeles took control in the first half and really never looked back. It was probably their most complete game of the season as they went up by as many as 27 points and dispatched a good team in the Washington Mystics, 99-80.
The Sparks shot .535 and had 28 assists. And their defense was flying around as they forced 17 turnovers and held Sonia Citron, Brittney Sykes, and Kiki Iriafen mostly in check as none of them scored in double figures.
It seems like the Sparks learning this offense is starting to pay off.
Was this game giving glimmers of what style they want to play? Q by @djtriceytrice. pic.twitter.com/W7BE2NQtmS
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) July 16, 2025
"I think we're starting to figure it out and also getting players healthy helps. Getting who we designed everything for," Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said about the team figuring out their offense. "But yeah, I do think so. A player like Rickea (Jackson) is taking off right now. It's really cool to see. And Dearica (Hamby) is getting hers.
"But 28 assists on 38 main baskets and the shooting percentages that we've had the last couple games, that's a direct correlation of shot quality, the shots you take," Roberts continued. "And that's the huge emphasis of what we're trying to do. So I'm proud of us. I'm proud of these guys for sticking with the process because it's hard. Adversity is hard. It challenges you and it shows you what you're really made of. And we're not done, but I do feel like to your point, things are starting to click."
It was starting to click so much in that game that Hamby made a three that bounced around before it went in, beating the buzzer at halftime to give the Sparks a hefty 25-point lead.
D AT THE BUZZER!!!!! @dearicamarie x @WNBA pic.twitter.com/vgv10V0nwD
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) July 16, 2025
Coach Roberts sang the praises of Julie Allemand, who had a season-best 10 assists.
* @JackieRaeTV asks @SparksCoachRob about hair and Julie Allemand and Rae Burrell affecting the game. pic.twitter.com/fiBITT6f0v
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) July 16, 2025
"Julie has been unbelievable," Roberts said. "(She had) 10 assists and one turnover. She's had (25 turnovers and three turnovers in the last four games). It's just ridiculous. And like I've said, she calms us down and she was +22 today and scored three points. That's hard to do, right? So her value cannot be understated."
Plum set the tone by making her first four shots. She went 3 for 5 from three and was asked if that momentum will carry over to the three-point contest this coming Friday.
* @AnwarStetson asks Kelsey about the three-point contest coming up. pic.twitter.com/7r5VdCouNC
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) July 16, 2025
"Don't jinx me, brother," Plum laughed after being asked about the contest. "Yeah, I saw the line-up today. I'm excited to be a part of it and I'm just going to go out and have fun. And if we win, I'm buying everyone a steak dinner."
Your very reporter loudly asked, "Us, too?!" before Plum immediately said, "Us first!" referring to her teammates.
It was good all-around vibes for the team. They only turned the ball over 10 times and it made for some very fluid ball movement. Basketball legend Cheryl Miller was watching them as well as the UConn and USC women's basketball teams.
Dearica Hamby had a huge game with 26 points while Jackson (22) and Plum (20) also had 20 or more. And a shoutout to Sania Feagin, who played well and scored a career-best eight points. For the Mystics, they were led by Shakira Austin with 16 points and 8 boards while Sug Sutton had 14.
The Sparks go into the all-star break at 8-14 but as mentioned earlier, they have momentum with their first two-game win streak of the season. They'll cheer on Plum in the three-point contest before going back to work against the same Mystics team next week in the nation's capital.
