The Sparks are officially eliminated from playoff contention despite securing an 88-83 win over the Phoenix Mercury. Seattle got a one-point win against the Valkyries, securing the final playoff spot and ending the Sparks’ postseason hopes.
Nevertheless, head coach Lynne Roberts and veteran Dearica Hamby offered a positive outlook during the postgame press conference.
“The plan is a long-term build and to be a part of it,” Hamby said about the Sparks’ future. “I want to be here. I feel like we took steps in the right direction.”
Hearing Hamby say that she is ready to commit to a longer build and wants to be with the Sparks should be a huge relief for fans in LA. While youngsters Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson are still under contract through the 2026 season, Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum will be unrestricted free agents. Re-signing them will be the key to going from a promising young team to a playoff team and eventually a title contender.
Head coach Lynne Roberts shared Hamby’s positive attitude, focusing on what the team can learn from this season. “There are some games I’d love to have back, but that’s the way it works, and what you learn from that is you can’t just think, ‘Oh, it’ll be fine. It’s no big deal. It’s June,’” Roberts said. “Those games matter and we’ll learn from that and that will be put in our pocket for next season.”
The Sparks still found success this season
The Sparks may not have made the playoffs, but there was still plenty to be excited about. Azura Stevens put together a career year, Cameron Brink returned from her ACL tear, and the Sparks rank in the top five for offensive rating to close out the season. During a hot stretch in July and early August, the Sparks also beat playoff teams in New York, Indiana, and Seattle. With a win over the Aces, the Sparks could even finish the season with a 22-22 record.
This season was only a glimpse of the Sparks’ potential, as injuries kept several players out. Rickea Jackson missed five games, Rae Burrell was kept out of 16 games to start the season, and Cameron Brink only played 18 games. So, the Sparks were without their most exciting young players for a significant time.
On top of that, key players from last season had to build chemistry with Kelsey Plum and get used to a new coaching staff and system. If Plum, Hamby, Stevens, and Julie Allemand return in free agency and the Sparks get lucky with injuries, next season should look much different.