The Los Angeles Sparks are looking to secure the last playoff spot in the WNBA this season, despite a challenging rebuild season that has been plagued by injuries.
The Sparks have had to deal with a number of key players missing due to injury, including Candace Parker, Nneka Ogwumike, and Chiney Ogwumike. This has forced the team to rely heavily on their younger players, such as Sydney Wiese and Maria Vadeeva, to fill the void.
Despite the adversity, the Sparks have managed to stay competitive in the Western Conference. They currently sit in seventh place, just one game behind the Seattle Storm for the final playoff spot.
The Sparks have been led by veteran guard Chelsea Gray, who is averaging a career-high 16.9 points per game. Gray has been a steadying presence for the team and has been able to keep them in contention despite the injuries.
The Sparks have also received strong contributions from Riquna Williams and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt. Williams is averaging 14.3 points per game while Ruffin-Pratt is averaging 11.2 points per game.
The Sparks have also been able to rely on their defense, which is ranked fifth in the league in points allowed per game. The team is led by Alana Beard, who is averaging 1.9 steals per game and is one of the best defenders in the league.
The Sparks have their work cut out for them if they want to make the playoffs this season, but they have shown that they are up to the challenge. With a few more wins, they could secure the last playoff spot and make a deep run in the postseason.
