LOS ANGELES — The Seattle Storm defeated the Los Angeles Sparks, 98-67, Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. The game had its few moments of back-and-forth momentum but as the night wore on, Seattle pulled away, ending with a 31-point statement win.
The Sparks were facing an uphill battle even before tip-off. Key playmakers Kelsey Plum, Odyssey Sims, and Julie Allemand were all sidelined, leaving the Sparks without three of their most impactful floor players. But even in a tough loss, there were 2 bright spots: Rickea Jackson and Azura Stevens.
Jackson led the team in scoring with 17 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists, continuing to show poise and maturity in her sophomore season. Stevens recorded her fifth double-double of the year, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds while providing a steady presence on both ends of the floor.
Despite the final score, Stevens made it clear that her focus remains on a positive mindset and long-term growth.
“Obviously we have key people out, but we have enough to still execute and get things done,” Stevens said during Tuesday’s postgame conference. “Not everything was a loss tonight. There’s still things we can build from. So, just taking that and moving on to the next game.”
But what will it take for the Sparks to get back into the win column?
How the Sparks can Bounce Back
1. Clean Up the Turnovers
Turnovers have been a consistent hurdle for Los Angeles this season. The team is averaging 14.9 per game, identical to last year’s total. What makes that number more costly is how opponents, like the Storm, are turning those mistakes into momentum. Seattle capitalized on nearly every mishap Tuesday night, using transition opportunities to stretch the lead. Reducing turnovers won’t just protect possessions, it can shift the tone and tempo of games entirely.
2. Complete and Close
The Sparks have shown they can hang with anyone in this league. They’ve led early, battled late, and kept fans on the edge of their seats. But consistency has been out of reach. At halftime, the gap in shooting percentages told the story: Seattle was hitting 55.6 percent from the field, while the Sparks trailed at 36.1.
Execution in crucial moments, particularly in the second half, is where the Sparks can flip the script. The pieces are there: clutch scorers, experienced veterans, and a growing bench. The challenge now is sustaining energy and execution from tip-off to the final buzzer. The more they lock in during crunch time, the more likely they are to turn those close games into statement wins.
3. Strength in Numbers: Get Healthy, Stay Together
No matter the team and no matter the sport, depth and health are non-negotiables for success. The Sparks were without three of their core players on Tuesday, forcing adjustments in rotations. Injuries are an inevitable part of a long season, but LA has already felt the impact of an incomplete roster.
With key players working their way back and others stepping up in their absence, the Sparks are gradually building resilience. Once fully healthy, this team will be ready to show the league exactly what the purple and gold is capable of.
