Keep calm and trust Kelsey Plum. That’s the formula in which the Los Angeles Sparks have been putting their trust this season. “The reason I was put in this position was to carry a heavier load,” Plum said before the season began. “And I have broad shoulders.” After starting the season with a 5-13 record, their game plan has worked out. The Sparks currently sit one game back from .500 at 16-17, coming from a single-point win over Paige Bueckers’ Dallas Wings.
That looks even more touchy when you understand that the Sparks were a full 6 points ahead with just a minute to go. JJ Quinerly sank a three-pointer from the corner with 15 seconds left to make it a one-point game. Plum, who had been incredible on the night, ended up missing two free throws. She could have regretted those misses as Bueckers had a chance for a potential game-winning three-pointer. Fortunately for the Sparks, her shot from downtown rolled off the rim as the final whistle arrived. It was literally touch-and-go. But a win is a win, and the next potential victims on their path to the playoffs and a 0.500 record are the Washington Mystics.
But this is not the same young side as Dallas, as they are coming off a win over the solid Indiana Fever. Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are in the form of their lives and looking to leave a Bueckers-sized skid mark on that Rookie of the Year race. Being rookie phenoms, those two jump out at you when looking at the Mystics. However, it’s not only about them. The Mystics have succeeded as a team and are on the brink of playoff qualification with a 15-18 record.“You could almost throw any player’s name out there and I would have something incredibly positive to say,” general manager Jamila Wideman recently said. It’s the classic battle of youth and experience. Let’s screen their squad’s availabilities and take a snapshot of how the teams will fare before the game.
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Washington Mystics: Injury Report
Los Angeles Sparks:
Admittedly, the Sparks have been fortunate when it comes to injuries, as they haven’t had many as compared to the teams around them. Once again, there are no appearances for the Plum-led side on the injury report.
Washington Mystics:
In good news for the Mystics, Shakira Austin will be available after being in and out of the team in recent weeks. Their Connecticut Sun signee, on the other hand, Jacy Sheldon, will be unavailable with a right ankle injury. Rookie point guard Georgia Amoore remains on the sidelines with a torn ACL.
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Washington Mystics: Where To Watch
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Venue: CareFirst Arena, Washington.
Live Streaming: WNBA League Pass.
Channel: Monumental Sports Network, ESPN 3
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Washington Mystics: Predicted Lineups
Los Angeles Sparks
Dearica Hamby
Azura Stevens
Rickea Jackson
Kelsey Plum
Julie Allemand
Washington Mystics
Kiki Iriafen
Stefanie Dolson
Sug Sutton
Sonia Citron
Jade Melbourne
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Washington Mystics: Match Preview And Prediction
While many look at top-of-the-table clashes for their marquee viewings, this will be a mid-table blockbuster. The Sparks are 16-17 and sitting in 9th place, having gone 7-3 in their last 10 games, while the Mystics are in patchy form with only 4 wins in their last 20. However, as they showed against the Fever, they have the firepower to beat anyone on any given day. A win here would give them the motivation to fulfill their playoff expectation. Going up against Kelsey Plum’s Sparks, it will not be easy.
The Sparks are the best offensive team right now and arguably throughout the season. They have scored 94 or more in six of the last seven games, averaging 93.3 points per game in their last 10, which is the most in the league. Sparks will once again hedge their bets on Kelsey Plum, who has contributed 20.3 points per game over the season and has put up at least 20 in three straight games. However, the Washington defense is no slouch either, with Kiki Iriafen manning the posts and Sug Sutton putting up roadblocks in downtown, they have conceded only 80.7 points per game in their last 10, which is the fifth best in the league. It will be a treat to watch how they contend with the pacy attack of the Sparks.
Aug 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink (22) and Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) battle for rebounding position during the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
Both teams have problems on the opposite ends of the court. The Sparks have a leaky defense, conceding at league-worst 88.6 points per game, while the Mystics struggle to break down their opponents, scoring at just 79 points per game. The Sparks will be leaning on their injury returnee, Cameron Brink, to provide some cover in her limited time on the court. She will be up against Sonia Citron, who is putting forward her case for the ROTY race. In the last 5 games, she is averaging 18.6 points and 3.6 assists per game, while Iriafen is averaging 15.4 points and 9.4 rebounds. If these two turn it on, then past offensive troubles disappear for the Mystics.
Considering these two teams are on opposite poles when it comes to playing style. This is a pretty evenly matched game. The ESPN predictor gives the Mystics a negligible edge at 50.4% of winning this tie, which could be because it’s their home game. Realistically, it is 50-50, setting up a treat for the fans.
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