After the Sparks got off to a 3-10 start to the season, it quickly became clear that they might have to battle for a playoff spot. Despite a well-timed surge in July that catapulted the Sparks right into the playoff race, they still find themselves on the outside looking in.
With an 86-75 loss to the Atlanta Dream, the Sparks have a 19-21 record and are 1.5 games behind the Indiana Fever for the final playoff spot. That loss also increased the Valkyries’ chances of locking down the sixth playoff spot. All they need to clinch a ticket to the postseason now is a win against the Wings. If they manage to do that, there would only be two playoff spots left for the Storm, Fever, and Sparks.
Considering that the season is coming to an end and the Sparks still have three difficult games left, the possibility that LA won’t make the playoffs could quickly become a tough reality.
The Sparks face an uphill battle for a playoff spot
The Sparks will have to string together some wins while other teams lose to close out the season. That is easier said than done, however. Three of the Sparks’ last four games are against the Dream, Mercury, and Aces—three of the top four teams in the league. All three teams are also still battling for positioning, so the Sparks shouldn’t bank on facing teams wanting to rest their starters.
Meanwhile, the Valkyries have a solid chance of clinching a playoff spot before facing the Lynx and Storm in the final three games of the season. Indiana, which is in the biggest danger of losing its spot to the Sparks at the moment, will have to play Chicago, Washington, and Minnesota. The first two games are winnable, even for a short-handed Fever team. Seattle’s remaining schedule could work in the Sparks’ favor, though. The Storm’s last two games are against the Liberty and Valkyries—two teams desperate to close out the season with a few wins.
Missing the playoffs would be a disappointment, but not the end of the world
After they traded the second overall pick in this year’s draft for Kelsey Plum, it was no secret that the Sparks had their eyes on the playoffs. Between Plum, Dearica Hamby, Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, and Azura Stevens, the Sparks have a great core and plenty of young talent. The team’s progress this season was slowed by injuries to Brink, Jackson, and Rae Burrell, though. So, it isn’t entirely surprising to see the Sparks battling for a playoff spot until the very last second.
Missing the playoffs wouldn’t even give the Sparks another lottery pick. They sent their first-round pick to the Storm in a deal for Kia Nurse and the fourth pick in the 2024 Draft.
Nevertheless, the Sparks have an incredibly bright future—if Plum, Hamby, and Stevens return in free agency this offseason. After a season of building chemistry and getting Brink back in game shape after a serious injury, the Sparks’ core should be able to make a more convincing playoff push next year.