ARLINGTON, Tex. -- And the WNBA is back.
Team USA won gold in Berlin as they captured the world championship for the fifth straight time. As for most of the W, they had a nice break for about two weeks and change.
"The break was great. Much needed break," Sparks guard Erica Wheeler said. "I was able to go on a vacation. I was able to see some family. I was able to do my ninth camp. Sold out. 150 kids. I was awarded a key to the city. Miami-Dade. So that was great. That was a great surprise. I wasn't expecting that. It just shows the work that I do in the community. It's been noticed, you know. I pride myself on being able to give back. So that was super dope that I was able to give some of my break to the community."
"It was pretty good. Just hung out with family, didn't do so much," Sparks guard Ariel Atkins said about her break. "Really just kick back and relax."
For the Sparks and six other teams, they're only back for one more week. The playoff teams have been decided quite a bit ago. It's now about seeding for the top eight teams as the playoffs start in 10 days.
But the Sparks had momentum going into the break. They've won three out of their last four games.
What's more, they acquired new players during that time. Aaliyah Nye joined L.A. after being cut by the Atlanta Dream. And Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda and Shyanne Sellers came from Upshot to sign developmental deals for the Sparks.
"I know what Nye can do because I've seen her play. She can really shoot the ball," Wheeler commented. "I don't really know Jack (Ndjakalenga) as much but from the little bit of two practices we had, she's shown some real nice things that I didn't know she had. So that was nice. And Sellers is also a good one. But they're asking a lot of questions. They're soaking things up. So I would love to see them in-game, though."
"It's interesting watching them kind of come in," Atkins said. "We only got four games left so it's kind of tough. But I think they all bring a unique aspect, unique personalities. I played with Nye in (Athletes Unlimited). I know Jack a little bit from her time at Texas. And I know Shy (Sellers) because she's a Maryland kid and went out when I was in DC. So I know a little bit about all of them. But I think they came in and honestly just fit right in."
The Sparks (15-25) are in Texas to take on the Wings (24-16), who are looking to move up in the playoff picture as they're currently sitting in the 8th position. While the Sparks don't have any playoff stakes to play for, the team still wants to show out.
"Honestly, just finding a way to push through," Atkins said about playing the final four games. "And honestly, still getting better at the little things that we want to get better at. Transition defense, communicating on defense... I think we've been trying to be consistent at those things all year. It's hard to do that when you're coming back from a break. So just little things like that to stay sharp."
For Wheeler, it's more than about playing the string out.
"More so just because I tell people all the time, yeah, we're not in the playoffs, but just know that the world is watching," Wheeler pointed out. "You still have these people that's paying their money to come see us play. We have young girls and boys that's watching us playing. So still be an inspiration in that way. Just because we don't have a postseason doesn't mean you don't play your heart out. And then also, other teams are watching you. Everybody on this team is not guaranteed. So you just never know what these four games can do for somebody to contract next year. So play for your spot next year."
As for their opponents?
"They've got a phenomenal forward, Jess Shepard, pushing the ball up," Atkins summarized. "You got Paige (Bueckers) getting in all the buckets. You got (Arike Ogunbowale) making it happen at the end. So that's just the team that they are. I mean, obviously, they've got some people out. We don't know who's going to be in and out for them depending on coming back from the World Cup. But yeah, fast-paced team who likes to score the ball. Gotta defend."
The Wings will be missing their prized first overall pick Azzi Fudd for the rest of the season so they'll be missing outstanding perimeter shooting and defending. Alanna Smith got hurt at the World Cup and is deemed out for this game.
While the Sparks have been criticized all season for their defense, the last 10 days that have been played in the W tell a completely opposite story. As mentioned earlier, the Sparks are 3-1 in that span. But they were also second in defensive rating during that stretch. So that end of the court has been huge for Los Angeles.
Not only are the Sparks going to look at their new players but these will be the final four games of Nneka Ogwumike's career. So the team will be playing with that in mind.
"She's one of the best teammates I've had," Atkins said. "And I'm going to be really sad not to be playing with her next year. But I know she's doing what's best for her."
And the Sparks will try to play their best as their 2026 campaign closes out. Even in a not-so-great season, they can finish the year out strong and hope to carry momentum into the 2027 WNBA season.