Sparks can’t keep up with Lynx

Los Angeles, CA (News4usOnline) – The Sparks showed up with heat, but the Lynx showed up with depth.

Despite a roaring crowd of 18,199 (the team’s highest attendance this season), which was made up of the most exciting young fans from camps across the city for Kids Day, Los Angeles couldn’t keep up with Minnesota’s pressure, poise, and possession control. 

What started as a hot-shooting showcase turned into another example of how a lack of bench support, turnovers, and poor paint defense can erase even the most promising performance.

KP ?? LOO for ?! @Kelseyplum10 x @julie35vanloo pic.twitter.com/KPKWrNFcQ1

— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) July 10, 2025

Sparks Start Strong but Fade Late

This was the fourth matchup between the Sparks and the Lynx this season, so you’d expect Los Angeles to have a solid understanding of Minnesota’s style and what to anticipate. But familiarity didn’t translate into execution.

Minnesota wound up handing Los Angeles a 92-82 defeat at Crypto.com Arena.

Kelsey Plum acknowledged the challenge after the game: “It was tough. We just dug ourselves a hole and then even that third quarter was very similar to the second quarter. They do a good job of protecting the paint and they’re super physical, and [we] just gotta handle it better.”

From tipoff, the Sparks had the energy—something they’ve consistently brought to the floor. They shot an impressive 50.0% from the field (29-for-58) and lit it up from long range, tying a season-high 13 made three-pointers on 48.1% shooting. They were even better at the line, going 11-for-12 (91.7%).

Kelsey Plum orchestrated the offense masterfully, notching 17 points and a season-high 12 assists, marking her sixth career double-double and first of the season. Her third three of the game tied her with Ivory Latta for 15th all-time in career threes made (536).

Julie Vanloo kept the crowd loud, matching her career-high five three-pointers (5-for-7) and finishing with 15 points—her season high. She said after the game that she was grateful for the opportunity, crediting Kelsey Plum for encouraging her to shoot with confidence.

Vanloo acknowledged her ability to get hot quickly and expressed pride in being able to step up when the team needed a spark. Azurá Stevens owned the glass with 10 rebounds, her eighth double-digit rebounding performance this year. Rickea Jackson added 14 points and went 4-for-4 from the stripe, while Julie Allemand hit her 100th career field goal, finishing with seven points and four assists.

KP dime to Z at the paint ? pic.twitter.com/CuBhmsdWVa

— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) July 10, 2025

And while the starters delivered, the bench surprised everyone by delivering their best performance of the season.

Bench Production: Progress or Pressure Valve?

The Sparks’ bench dropped a season-high 26 points, shooting 9-for-17 from the field and 7-for-10 from deep. Julie Vanloo led the second unit with 15, while Emma Cannon and Mercedes Russell chipped in meaningful minutes. Rae Burrell reached her 100th career field goal in the second quarter.

The second unit stepped up more than usual, but the weight on the starters is still unsustainable.

Minnesota’s bench, led by Natisha Hiedeman’s 18 points, scored a total of 32. They defended, rebounded, and moved the ball in ways that allowed the starters to stay fresh across all four quarters. This gave the Lynx the resilience and rhythm LA struggled to maintain.

With so much pressure on Plum, Hamby, and Stevens to carry both the scoring and defensive responsibilities, the Sparks are treading dangerously close to exhaustion. Fatigue is becoming more visible as the game wears on. Without consistent bench help, injuries or late-game breakdowns aren’t just possible—they’re likely.

Turnovers were a major issue. The Sparks committed 22 compared to just 10 by the Lynx, which led to 23 points off turnovers for Minnesota.

Shot attempts also highlighted the imbalance. The Sparks took only 58 shots, while the Lynx fired up 80—a difference of 22 field goal attempts, largely due to offensive rebounds and LA’s giveaways.

Points in the paint told a familiar story. The Lynx outscored the Sparks 44 to 30 down low, showing their edge in physicality and second-chance opportunities.

Double-double night for our number 10.

17 PTS | 12 AST | 4-7 FG | 3-5 3PT pic.twitter.com/007g6WqbBT

— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) July 10, 2025

From beyond the arc, the Sparks were actually superior, hitting 13-of-27 threes for 48.1%, while the Lynx went just 10-for-37 (27%). But when you give up more shots and lose the rebounding battle, shooting alone isn’t enough.

Speaking of boards, LA pulled down just 4 offensive rebounds compared to Minnesota’s 11, another stat that speaks to the Lynx’s control of the pace and paint.

Despite shooting 50% from the field and 91.7% from the free-throw line, the Sparks couldn’t overcome the possession disparity and physical disadvantage.

Final Word

This was a game the Sparks could’ve won. The offense was clicking, the crowd was vibing, and the shots were falling. But when you turn the ball over 22 times and get beat in the paint, even your best shooting night won’t save you.

Minnesota brought depth. LA brought buckets. But in this league, it takes both to win.

The Sparks will have two more chances to head into the All-Star break on a high note. They close out their three-game homestand with matchups against the Connecticut Sun on July 13 and the Washington Mystics on July 15. With momentum slipping and the season midpoint approaching, both games present opportunities to get back in the win column and reset the tone.

Featured Image: Photo credit: Carlos Jones