What if your first game in a new city didn’t just turn heads—it rewrote the history? Kelsey Plum pulled up to LA, dropped 37, never left the floor, and broke Candace Parker’s Sparks debut record like it was personal. She shot the lights out, went 11-for-11 at the line, and made the whole basketball world pay attention. Matt Barnes sure did—he posted a smooth “Welcome to LA ” on his Instagram, co-signing the moment as only an LA vet can. And the praise didn’t stop there.
Kelsey Plum kicked off her Sparks career in unforgettable fashion after being traded from the Las Vegas Aces. She exploded for 37 points in an 86-67 rout of the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center, rewriting the WNBA record books in the process. It marked the highest-scoring performance ever in a season opener, and she became the league’s only player to post 35+ points, 5+ assists, and 5+ steals in a single game. According to Stathead, she also broke the record for most points in a team’s first game of the season, surpassing the previous mark of 34. And she did it while playing all 40 minutes—just as she’d trained for in the offseason. It looked like a dream start for L.A., but Matt Barnes saw more than just stats.
And it’s not like Plum is winging it—she’s been doing her homework. “I have spent a lot of time learning, particularly from A’ja,” she told ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. “Watching her pick her spots and just being intentional about when to be aggressive, when not to be aggressive. I don’t think I did a tremendous job balancing, but I’ll continue to get better.”
But even as he celebrated her debut fireworks, Barnes shifted the conversation toward the bigger picture—and his tone got real.“Obviously they got Cameron Brink,” he said, acknowledging the defensive star power. “But I still think we’re a few years away.” The former Clipper and Laker wasn’t sugarcoating it. “Our girl JuJu [Watkins] is recovering from what she needs to recover from. But I think in two years, something needs to happen where the Sparks land… need to get the loaded dice.” He also pointed to Rae Burrell’s recent injury—“She’ll be gone what, 6–8 weeks?”—as another setback in what he sees as a longer-term rebuild. “It’s going to be some time for this Sparks team,” Barnes admitted, “but I definitely think the future—with the core pieces they have and adding someone like a JuJu—can definitely bring Sparks basketball where it needs to be.”
Let’s dive deep into the Los Angeles Sparks and see if this revamped team has what it takes to reignite their winning ways — or if they’re still searching for that missing spark.
Can the Sparks finally turn the corner in 2025?
After a brutal 8-32 finish last season—the worst in franchise history—the Los Angeles Sparks decided it was time to hit reset in a major way. The health issues were endless, with key players like Cameron Brink, Azurá Stevens, and Lexie Brown sidelined for large chunks of the year. Add in the lack of rebounding, shooting struggles, and way too many turnovers, and the Sparks never really found their rhythm. So they cleaned house: head coach Curt Miller is out, and in comes Lynne Roberts, who left a strong gig at Utah to take the reins. As Roberts put it, “This is a golden opportunity. As a competitor, the chance to coach the best players in the world, that’s what I want.”
The roster makeover didn’t stop there. The Sparks pulled off a major move by bringing in three-time All-Star and two-time WNBA champ Kelsey Plum from Las Vegas. They also drafted Sarah Ashlee Barker, Liatu King, and Alyssa Ustby—three promising young pieces who now join a squad anchored by rising second-year stars Brink and Rickea Jackson. Brink averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 boards, and 2.3 blocks in 15 games before tearing her ACL, while Jackson stepped up in a big way, finishing with 13.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. The Sparks also return All-Star Dearica Hamby, who had a career-best 17.3 points and 9.2 rebounds last season. There’s a nice blend of experience and youth here—and real potential.
So, will the Sparks finally break their playoff drought and return to the postseason for the first time since 2020? The odds look solid. With Roberts running a pace-and-space offense, a healthy Brink and Jackson, and Plum leading the backcourt, there’s legitimate optimism in L.A. This team is deeper, healthier, and much more dynamic than last year’s version.
Plum’s explosive debut wasn’t just a stat line—it was a declaration that the Sparks are a team ready to rewrite their narrative. With Matt Barnes recognizing her potential and calling for patience around the rebuilding process, the Sparks have a dynamic leader in Plum and a clear vision forward.
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