The 2025 WNBA campaign had started in a familiar, underwhelming fashion for the Los Angeles Sparks. However, after winning three games in a row, the franchise has created an unlikely opportunity to break its wretched playoff curse. Los Angeles has not seen their stars take part in a playoff game since their second-round exit to DeWanna Bonner and the Connecticut Sun in 2020.
General manager Raegan Pebley signalled the Sparks' playoff ambition for the 2025 season with a blockbuster trade that saw Kelsey Plum swap the Las Vegas Aces for the City of Angels. Undoubtedly, Plum was acquired to be Los Angeles' primary scoring option and to provide a winning mentality to the roster.
Yet, it is Dearica Hamby's recent scintillating performances that are presenting the franchise with a chance to shatter this woeful, barren playoff run.
Hamby's heroics fuel Sparks' playoff charge
The 2025 season has already proven to be the most prolific of Hamby's career so far, as the 31-year-old is currently averaging a career-high 17.5 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.9 steals. Even before the Sparks began showcasing their postseason credentials, Hamby was exhibiting traits of an All-Star—despite missing out on a 2025 selection—with her relentless aggression on offense in the paint.
During Los Angeles' most recent 93-86 victory against fellow playoff contenders, the Washington Mystics, Hamby turned in an inspired performance. The devastating forward registered 17 points, 14 rebounds, two steals, and one block, showing that she is a vital piece on both sides of the ball for head coach Lynne Roberts.
This was just the latest in a string of brilliant performances by the Wake Forest graduate. With the Sparks now amid a three-game win streak, Hamby has averaged 22.3 points over this period while shooting around 59 percent from the floor.
Los Angeles is ready to break its playoff drought
Next up for the Sparks is the woeful Connecticut Sun team, that has only managed to muster three wins from their 22 fixtures this year. Los Angeles will be confident that their superstar can continue to galvanize her colleagues after already defeating their Eastern Conference opponents 92-88 on July 13.
Sparks fans have an abundance of reasons to be optimistic about their chances to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020–with the sensational sophomore, Cameron Brink, stepping up her rehabilitation in recent weeks and Kelsey Plum continuing to demolish defenses with her ability to score from three levels.
Dearica Hamby and her teammates remain two wins behind the Mystics in the final postseason position with 23 games remaining on their schedule. Anything is possible in the turbulent world of the WNBA. If the Los Angeles Sparks can consistently perform at the level they are currently playing at, then their playoff drought may finally come to an end.