The Los Angeles Sparks can’t relax. How can they? They are still in pursuit of a spot in the 2025 WNBA playoffs. Even after they scored an 81-78 win over the Washington Mystics at home on Monday, Kelsey Plum and the Sparks are still not part of the league’s current playoff picture. Inconsistencies have hurt the Sparks this season, especially of late. Needing wins to boost their chances to make the playoffs, the Sparks did that when they went on an 8-1 stretch. Since then, however, they have gone just 4-5. Los Angeles’ victory versus the Mystics was just its first in three games.

As it stands, the Sparks are ninth in the WNBA standings through Monday with an 18-20 record. They are still behind the No. 8 Indiana Fever by two games. Only five teams are still contending for sure playoff berths, with the Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury all assured of postseason slots. The New York Liberty, Golden State Valkyries, Seattle Storm, Indiana and Los Angeles are all still trying to secure tickets to the playoffs.

Dearica Hamby reaches milestone

Amid the Sparks’ triumph over Washington was the milestone that veteran forward Dearica Hamby hit.

Hamby’s only block in the contest was enough to make her the latest member of the WNBA’s 1oo career blocks club.

The Sparks put emphasis on defense, and succeeded o that side of the court. Los Angeles held the Mystics to only 38.9 percent shooting from the field. Outside of Sonia Citron, no other starter shot better than 50 percent from the floor.

“We know how talented [Sonia] Citron is, so our game plan was to make other people take shots and we did that,” Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts said after the game. “I would even say going off the last game [against the Indiana Fever], I felt we had a good defensive game. It didn’t turn into victory, but I think we’re just trending in the right direction.”

Sparks’ remaining games in 2025 WNBA regular season

There are only six games left to play for the Sparks in the regular season, and four of those will be in enemy territory. That includes their upcoming meeting with the Storm this Tuesday at the Climate Pledge Arena. 

A two-game set at Gateway Center versus the Dream follows before a home game against the Dallas Wings. Los Angeles plays its final road game on Sept. 8. The Sparks’ final regular-season assignment will be opposite the Valkyries at Crypto.com Arena on Sept. 12.