Sparks lock in against the Mystics

The Sparks beat the Mystics 99–80 in a matchup that had a clash of styles written all over it—not just in jerseys, but in philosophy. The Washington Mystics (11–10) rolled into Crypto.com Arena sitting third in the East—not because they score a lot (they don’t), but because they lock in defensively and wait for you to beat yourself.

Meanwhile, the Sparks (7–14) have been an unpredictable mix: capable of lighting it up offensively, but allergic to consistency on defense. Coming into the game, the Sparks were scoring 82.5 PPG (6th in the league), but giving up 87.2 (2nd-worst). So, even when they were cooking, the back door was left wide open.

Add to the mix USC alumni and WNBA Rookie of the Month Kiki Iriafen suiting up for the Mystics—and USC Women’s Basketball team in the crowd cheering her on—you had an emotional layer. Iriafen has made a splash this season with six double-doubles, four of them consecutive, marking a franchise rookie record. But in tonight’s matchup, the Sparks had her number. She was kept in check, finishing with 8 points and 8 rebounds on 4-for-10 shooting. Whenever she touched the ball, pressure closed in, forcing rushed decisions and tough looks.

Sweet dreams, Sparks fam. pic.twitter.com/tAz7sVvX2T

— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) July 16, 2025

We Didn’t Know Which Way This Game Would Go

On paper, it could’ve gone either way. Washington’s slow pace and efficient defense seemed primed to neutralize LA’s tempo. But LA came out fast, focused, and fiery.

They outscored the Mystics 30-12 in the second quarter and never looked back, ultimately taking the win 99–80. Washington, who had won three straight coming in, couldn’t handle LA’s pace or offensive flow. The Sparks held a 22-point lead at the start of the fourth, and while the Mystics made small pushes, they never got closer than 13.

The crowd of 10,787—including the USC and UConn women’s basketball teams—got a show.

Winning Isn’t Just About Points

Each stat line tells a story. Sure, points grab the headlines, but the real narrative is often found in the margins — the assists, the rebounds, the hustle plays that don’t always make the highlight reel.

Take Julie Allemand, for instance. She finished the night with just 3 points, but she led the team with 10 assists, accounting for at least 20 points directly. That’s the definition of impact without needing to light up the scoreboard.

Then you have players like:

• Dearica Hamby: 26 points (26.3% of team total), 6 rebounds
• Rickea Jackson: 22 points (22.2%), 3 rebounds
• Kelsey Plum: 20 points (20.2%), 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
• Azurá Stevens: 15 points (15.2%), 8 rebounds

They carried the scoring load, yes — but were able to do so because the ball moved with purpose. The Sparks finished with 26 total assists, showing that this was less about individual stardom and more about collective execution. 

Even role players like Rae Burrell (5 pts), Sania Feagin (8 pts), chipped in when it counted.

When you piece it together, this win wasn’t just a good night — it was a blueprint: share the ball, rebound with intent, and lean into roles. That’s how you stack wins, not just stats.

We see you Rae ?@Raehoops x @WNBA pic.twitter.com/744iPCJ33E

— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) July 16, 2025

Postgame Perspective

In the postgame interview, Kelsey Plum reflected on the team’s momentum heading into the break:

“It’s great to head into the break with a win,” she said. “Everyone’s been on a hectic schedule, so this time is good for rest—physically and mentally. But we know Washington will come at us differently next time. Tonight felt like our most complete game—sharing the ball, great pace, and quality shots. We’ve got to keep flying around on defense and protect home court.”

With the All-Star break approaching, the Sparks head into the pause with momentum. The team shot 53.5% from the field, and Plum herself was on fire—20 points on 53.8% shooting, including 60% from three and a perfect 100% at the line. As the four-time All-Star prepares for her second WNBA Three-Point Contest, the timing of her rhythm couldn’t be better.

On Friday, July 18, Sparks star will take on fellow sharpshooters Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, defending champ Allisha Gray, and Sonia Citron in the WNBA’s annual Three-Point Contest.

After the break on July 22nd  the Sparks will face the Washington Mystic on their court. The question now: can they keep it going?

Featured Image: LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 25: Los Angeles Sparks forward Azura Stevens (23) dribbles during the Chicago Sky at Los Angeles Sparks WNBA game on May 25, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire)