Throughout May and June, injuries, new coaching, and adjustments to those changes all contributed to a Sparks team looked disjointed, particularly on offense. Rotational inconsistencies and relying on unexpected lineups resulted in a team that sat at just 5–11 heading into July.
But since the start of the month, and especially following a 99–80 win over the Washington Mystics last Tuesday, where the Sparks looked relaxed, cohesive, and like they were having fun, a shift in identity has become increasingly visible. The Sparks are heading into the second half of the season with signs of improved rhythm and ball security, as well as flashes of the quick tempo that head coach Lynne Roberts promised fans when she was hired.
After the win over the Mystics, Roberts told reporters, “I’m proud of these guys for sticking with the process, because it’s hard. Adversity is hard. It challenges you, and it shows you what you’re really made of. We’re not done, but I do feel like […] things are starting to click.” She noted that the team had 28 assists on 38 made baskets, mentioning the correlation with shot quality that she’s been harping on since the start of the season.
The Sparks’ 99-point performance marked their highest scoring output of the season, as well as their most efficient, at 53.3% shooting from the floor. The 28 assists were hopefully a sign of the flow and rhythm to come. Even more reassuring, they turned the ball over just 10 times against the Mystics and 12 times against the Connecticut Sun in the game prior, a departure from their 16.2 average on the season (second to worst in the league).
A huge reason behind the improvement in ball security is the return of guard Julie Allemand, who has missed games due to both injury and EuroBasket conflicts. “Julie has been unbelievable,” Roberts said following the win over the Mystics. In the Sparks’ two most recent games, Allemand has had 16 assists to only 1 turnover.
“She just calms us down,” Roberts continued. “She was +22 and scored three points [against the Mystics], that’s hard to do. Her value cannot be understated.”
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Allemand, who is playing in her first season for the Sparks, has been gradually increasing her usage. Her assist-to-turnover ratio on the season is 2.63:1, putting her at 10th in the WNBA on a team that has a turnover rate of 17.5%, second to last in the league. She has become a key decision-maker in late-clock scenarios, where the Sparks previously struggled.
“We’re starting to figure it out. Getting players healthy helps,” said Roberts. “Getting who we designed everything for.”
In addition to Allemand, Roberts is speaking about Rae Burrell, whose long-awaited return came on July 3. Since then, she’s shown bursts of energy that have come to be her signature. “Rae is just a firecracker,” Roberts said. “She just comes in and brings life, plays with speed.”
Overall, it’s a different look than fans experienced to start the season. Now, they can only hope the final spot on the injured list is vacated soon with the return of Cameron Brink.
While the Sparks still sit below the playoff line at 8–14, their past two weeks have offered the clearest version yet of what Roberts’ system was designed to look like: quick pace, connected reads and low turnover margins. They look more disciplined, clearer on their vision, and healthier. Ahead of the All-Star break, Roberts told reporters that she would spend the time “[figuring] out where we need to get better. To really take a look at it and figure out where our inefficiencies are and where we’re doing well, and leaning on that.”
While winning two games in a row may not sound like a huge turning point, it’s no small feat for the Sparks. This is the first time they’ve won two games in a row since June 7 and 9, 2024. The Sparks have already matched their win total from last season.
The Sparks’ sole All-Star, Kelsey Plum, added, “Remembering how these feelings feel, winning, playing super collectively. I thought tonight was our best,” she said, referring to her team’s pace, ability to share the ball, and physicality, and calling it a “great opportunity” to build.
“You saw how badly we wanted this one. It’s been a tough first part of the season, and it feels really good to play two games in a row and play well and to get a winning streak going,” Roberts told reporters.
The Sparks will take on the Washington Mystics again on Tuesday, hoping to extend their largest winning streak in the last two seasons even further.
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