The Sparks are soaring. Winners of four straight, Los Angeles is averaging 96.3 points per game during the streak, including scoring over 100 in their last game against the Sun. The offensive surge has been fueled by a resurgent Kelsey Plum, who’s caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting 20 of her last 38 three-point attempts (52.6%) over the last six games. In that same stretch, she’s averaging 20.2 points, 6.2 assists, and 2.8 rebounds, playing some of her sharpest basketball of the season.
Dearica Hamby has been dominant. Over her last eight games, she’s putting up 20.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals while shooting 62.6 percent from the field. Her impact goes beyond the numbers. Hamby’s versatility and physical presence have anchored LA’s midseason turnaround. Rickea Jackson has also had flashes, averaging 21 points across a strong three-game stretch before being held to just four against the Sun last Thursday. If she regains that form, the Sparks have another weapon on the wing.
The Liberty won’t make it easy. At 17–6, New York remains one of the WNBA’s most complete teams. Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu continue to lead a balanced, veteran-heavy squad. Ionescu scored 29 and Jonquel Jones added 20 points and 11 boards in an 89–76 win over Phoenix on Friday, their fifth straight victory.
The Liberty beat the Sparks 89–79 in their last matchup on July 3, and it was quite a battle. After New York erupted for a 27–6 run in the third quarter, the Sparks responded, cutting the deficit to five before the Liberty ultimately pulled away. LA showed it could hang with one of the league’s top teams despite a slow stretch in that game.
This rematch could come down to pace and execution. The Sparks want to run, share the ball, and force defenses into rotation with quick decisions and movement. The Liberty, meanwhile, will rely on their depth, discipline, and inside-out attack. If Hamby and Azurá Stevens can control the paint and LA continues to shoot well from deep, they’ll give themselves a chance.
Prediction: Don’t count LA out. With Plum in rhythm and Hamby continuing her all-around impact, the Sparks have the tools to push New York. Their recent chemistry and confidence make them a legitimate threat, even against one of the league’s best.
Bottom line: The Liberty have the record and the firepower. But the Sparks have momentum, toughness, and a growing sense of belief. Right now, they’re playing like a team that’s ready to test anyone.