The Los Angeles Sparks did something Tuesday night that no Sparks team has ever done before. They dished out 35 assists as a team, a franchise record. They forced 18 turnovers and turned them into 30 points. They made more field goals than the New York Liberty. And they still lost 113-109 at home.
For head coach Lynne Roberts, that weird mix of progress and defeat actually felt like a step forward. And after a six-game losing streak, she’ll take whatever she can get.
“It’s not moral victories, but we can build on that,” Roberts said after the game. “We had 35 assists. That’s a franchise record. We’re playing the right way … that’s winning basketball. We didn’t get the reward of the win but I am proud of the team.”
The loss dropped the Sparks to 10-17. They’ve now lost six straight dating back before the All-Star break. They’re five games back of the Washington Mystics for the eighth and final playoff spot with 17 games left. On paper, this thing is circling the drain.
But Roberts insisted the vibe in the locker room is different. The team looked connected for the first time in weeks. They moved the ball. They competed. They just couldn’t close.
Assists record shows what’s possible
The 35 assists weren’t just a nice stat. They’re evidence that the system can work when everybody buys in. The Sparks shared the ball against a Liberty team that’s deeper and more talented. That doesn’t win you a game against New York, but it does give you something to point to in film sessions.
“Our pace was great. Our execution was probably the best we’ve had in a long time,” guard Erica Wheeler said. “No moral victories but it’s a lot of good that we can take from this game.”
The night was supposed to be about DeLisha Milton-Jones, whose jersey was retired at halftime. The Sparks couldn’t keep that energy going in the fourth quarter, when the Liberty pulled away. But the franchise legend’s presence maybe reminded this group what standard they’re supposed to be chasing.
Kelsey Plum’s absence hangs over everything
The obvious complication: the Sparks are still without Kelsey Plum, who has missed 12 straight games with a lower leg injury the team won’t describe in detail. Her name keeps popping up in trade rumors. A recent report suggested she won’t re-sign with the Sparks this offseason. The team has not confirmed anything, but the noise isn’t going away.
For now, Plum’s absence forces the Sparks to play without their best offensive creator. And while the ball movement against the Liberty was encouraging, this team still doesn’t have enough firepower to trade baskets with the top teams in the league.
The road doesn’t get easier. The Sparks head out for three straight starting Sunday against the Portland Fire, followed by back-to-back games against the Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx on Aug. 5 and Aug. 6. At 10-17, they’re running out of time to turn this into a real playoff push. But at least they finally looked like a team that believes they can.
Leave a Comment