LA Sparks Break WNBA Drought With Thrilling OT Win: Highlights, Key Stats & What’s Next

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Sparks are heating up just as the WNBA calendar flips to the second half of the season, and Thursday night’s 88-79 statement win over the Minnesota Lynx showed why fans should keep their eyes on Crypto.com Arena the rest of July. The Sparks shot a blistering 50 percent from the field (29-for-58) and matched their season high with 13 made three-pointers, showcasing a balanced inside-out attack that overwhelmed Minnesota’s defense. Head coach Curt Miller praised his squad’s composure afterward, noting that the roster is finally settling into defined roles following early injuries. Front-court star Dearica Hamby continues to anchor the Sparks on both ends of the floor; she and versatile forward Azurá Stevens were jointly honored as the club’s Co-Performers of the Month for June after combining for 31.6 points and 17.4 rebounds per game over the stretch. Yet the Sparks’ resurgence hasn’t been fueled by front-court play alone. Rookie guard Rickea Jackson drilled four triples against the Lynx, while veteran sharpshooter Lexie Brown added three of her own, forcing opposing defenses to pick their poison. The improved spacing has opened driving lanes for point guard Jordin Canada, whose nine assists Thursday marked her fifth game this year with at least eight dimes. The momentum will be put to an immediate test when Connecticut comes to town on Sunday, July 13. The Sun enter the matchup near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, led by reigning MVP Alyssa Thomas, but Los Angeles has already proved it can topple elite opponents at home. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. PT, and the Sparks are encouraging early arrivals with a pre-game Fan Fest on Star Plaza and a limited-edition T-shirt giveaway to the first 5,000 spectators. Beyond Sunday, the Sparks’ schedule lightens, featuring four of the next six contests inside Crypto.com Arena before a late-July road swing through Phoenix and Seattle. With playoff positioning already tightening across the league, every home victory matters. A win over Connecticut would nudge Los Angeles above .500 and keep them in striking distance of the fourth seed, a spot that guarantees home-court advantage in the opening playoff round. Off the court, the organization continues to invest in community outreach. This week the Sparks partnered with LA Unified School District for the “Spark Success” STEM clinic, where players mentored 200 middle-school girls interested in tech careers. Guard Layshia Clarendon spoke passionately about representation, telling attendees, “The game of basketball can open doors, but education keeps them open.” Tickets for all remaining home dates start at $18 on Ticketmaster, and single-game suites are still available. Fans unable to attend can stream Sunday’s clash on ESPN+ or listen locally on KLAC 570 AM. With new offensive firepower, improving health and a favorable July slate, the LA Sparks are positioned to make noise in a wide-open Western Conference race. If Thursday’s three-point barrage was any indication, the rest of the WNBA should be on high alert—because lightning rarely strikes the same place twice, but these Sparks just might.