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{{Short description|Women's basketball team}} {{Infobox basketball club | name = Los Angeles Sparks | current = 2025 Los Angeles Sparks season | logo = Los Angeles Sparks logo.svg | leagues = [[Women's National Basketball Association|WNBA]] | conference = [[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western]] | founded = 1997 | history = '''Los Angeles Sparks'''<br />1997βpresent | arena = [[Crypto.com Arena]] | location = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]] | colors = Purple, gold, black, teal, white<ref>{{cite news|title=Sparks Unveil New Primary Logo & Icon|url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/sparks-unveil-new-primary-logo-icon/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Sparks.WNBA.com|access-date=March 23, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Los Angeles Sparks Reproduction Guideline Sheet|url=https://cdn-assets-us.frontify.com/s3/frontify-enterprise-files-us/eyJwYXRoIjoibmJhXC9maWxlXC93MzVISmo0N0QxYUI4bkhXcTMzcC5wZGYifQ:nba:jILqAMd4c9sD2Kfc9VlRvsCOYCfY3gmEcr2n_i6N3Yk?width=2400|publisher=WNBA Enterprises, LLC|access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref><br />{{color box|#552583}} {{color box|#FDB927}} {{color box|#000000}} {{color box|#00A997}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}} | sponsor = EquiTrust Life Insurance<ref>{{cite press release|title=LOS ANGELES SPARKS ANNOUNCE EQUITRUST AS MARQUEE SPONSOR|url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/los-angeles-sparks-announce-equitrust-as-marquee-sponsor|publisher=WNBA Enterprises, LLC|website=Sparks.WNBA.com|date=May 21, 2015|access-date=April 9, 2025}}</ref> | manager = | coach = [[Lynne Roberts (basketball)|Lynne Roberts]] | assistants = [[Danielle Robinson]]<br/>Zak Buncik<br/>[[Mike Neighbors]] | gm = [[Raegan Pebley]] | ownership = Sparks LA Sports ([[Mark Walter]], [[Magic Johnson]], [[Stan Kasten]], [[Todd Boehly]], Bobby Patton, Eric Holoman) | championships = '''3''' ([[2001 WNBA Finals|2001]], [[2002 WNBA Finals|2002]], [[2016 WNBA Finals|2016]]) | conf_champs = '''5''' ([[2001 Los Angeles Sparks season|2001]], [[2002 Los Angeles Sparks season|2002]], [[2003 Los Angeles Sparks season|2003]], [[2016 Los Angeles Sparks season|2016]], [[2017 Los Angeles Sparks season|2017]]){{efn|name=conf|The WNBA |[[Western Conference (WNBA)#Western Conference champions|conference championships]] to the winners of the Conference Finals in the playoffs from 1998 to 2024.}} | website = {{URL|http://sparks.wnba.com/}} | 1_body = | 1_pattern_b = _lasparks_heroine21 | 1_shorts = | 1_pattern_s = _lasparks_heroine21 | 1_title = Heroine | 2_body = | 2_pattern_b = _lasparks_explorer21 | 2_shorts = | 2_pattern_s = _lasparks_explorer21 | 2_title = Explorer | 3_body = | 3_pattern_b = _lasparks_rebel21 | 3_shorts = | 3_pattern_s = _lasparks_rebel21 | 3_title = Rebel }} The '''Los Angeles Sparks''' are an American professional [[basketball]] team based in [[Los Angeles]]. The Sparks compete in the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] (WNBA) as a member of the [[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western Conference]]. The team plays its home games at [[Crypto.com Arena]]. The Sparks were founded before the league's inaugural [[1997 WNBA season|1997 season]] began. Like some other WNBA teams, the Sparks have the distinction of not being affiliated with an [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] counterpart, even though the market is shared with the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] and the [[Los Angeles Clippers]]. Lakers owner [[Jerry Buss]] owned the Sparks as a sister team to the Los Angeles Lakers from 1997 to 2006. Since 2014, the Sparks have been owned by Sparks LA Sports, a group consisting of [[Mark Walter]], [[Magic Johnson]], [[Stan Kasten]], [[Todd Boehly]], [[Bobby Patton]], and Eric Holoman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.winston.com/en/thought-leadership/la-sports-partners-llc-acquisition-of-the-los-angeles-sparks.html|title=Winston & Strawn|website=Winston & Strawn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/magic-johnson-mark-walter-lead-677510|title = Magic Johnson and Mark Walter Lead Acquisition of L.A. Sparks |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date =2014-02-05}}</ref> The Sparks have qualified for the [[WNBA playoffs]] in twenty of their twenty-four years in Los Angeles, more than any other team in the league. The franchise has been home to many high-quality players such as {{convert|6|ft|4|in|m}} center and [[Tennessee Volunteers women's basketball|Tennessee]] standout [[Candace Parker]], point guard [[Nikki Teasley]], and nearby [[USC Trojans women's basketball|USC]] alums [[Lisa Leslie]] and [[Tina Thompson]]. In [[2001 WNBA Finals|2001]], [[2002 WNBA Finals|2002]], [[2003 WNBA Finals|2003]], [[2016 WNBA Finals|2016]] and [[2017 WNBA Finals|2017]], the Sparks went to the [[WNBA Finals]]. They won the title in 2001, 2002, and 2016, beating [[Charlotte Sting|Charlotte]], [[New York Liberty|New York]], and [[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]] respectively, but fell short to [[Detroit Shock|Detroit]] in 2003 and Minnesota in 2017. == History == === 1997β2000: Beginnings and bright future === The [[1997 WNBA season]], the league's first, opened with a game between the Sparks and the [[New York Liberty]] at the Sparks home ([[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]]) in [[Inglewood, California|Inglewood]]. The Sparks lost the game 57β67. Sparks player [[Penny Toler]] scored the league's first two points with a lay-up 59 seconds into the game. The Sparks finished with a record of 14β14. The team did compete for a playoff spot, but because of a loss to the [[Phoenix Mercury]] in the final game of the season, the Sparks missed the playoffs. In the [[1998 WNBA season]], the Sparks finished 12β18, missing the playoffs once more. The [[1999 WNBA season|1999 season]] featured the development of [[Lisa Leslie]] and the Sparks' first playoff berth, as the Sparks posted a 20β12 record. The Sparks won their first playoff game and series with a win over the [[Sacramento Monarchs]]. They played in the [[Western Conference (WNBA)|Western Conference]] Finals but fell to the defending champion [[Houston Comets]], 2 games to 1, in the three-game series. [[File:LisaLeslieDec10.jpg|thumb|175px|right|[[Lisa Leslie]]]] The [[2000 WNBA season|2000 season]] was a record one, as the Sparks had a 28β4 record, the best in league history, and second only to the 1998 Houston Comets for best all-time. In the playoffs, the Sparks swept the Phoenix Mercury in the first round but lost in the Western Conference Finals again, when they were swept by the Comets. Ultimately, the Sparks were playing in the shadow of the Comets, who won the first four [[WNBA Finals|WNBA championships]]. === 2001β2002: Back-to-back championships === The 2000β01 off-season saw a move to the [[Crypto.com Arena|Staples Center]] and a coaching change, when the Sparks hired former [[Los Angeles Lakers]] player [[Michael Cooper]] as head coach. During the ensuing regular season, the Sparks again posted a 28β4 record. In the 2001 playoffs, the Sparks finally eliminated the Comets, sweeping them in the first round. The Sparks took all three games to eliminate the Monarchs to earn their first berth in the [[WNBA Finals]], in which they swept the [[Charlotte Sting]], 2β0, for their first league championship. In 2002, Leslie became the first woman in the league to dunk the ball during a game, and once again the Sparks dominated the regular season, posting a 25β7 record. The Sparks then flew through the playoffs, sweeping both the [[Seattle Storm]] and the [[Utah Starzz]]. In the finals, the Sparks were matched against the Liberty, who were still looking for their first championship. A late three-pointer in game 2 by [[Nikki Teasley]] gave the Sparks their second consecutive championship. === 2003: Chasing a three-peat === In 2003, the Sparks posted a 24β10 record and went into the playoffs looking for a "three-peat". Both the first and the second rounds were forced to deciding third games, as they beat the [[Minnesota Lynx]] and [[Sacramento Monarchs]]. The Sparks then faced the upstart [[Detroit Shock]] in the Finals. The Shock were on a roll after having been the worst team in the WNBA in [[2002 WNBA season|2002]]. The Finals were a battle fueled by the relationship between head coaches [[Michael Cooper]] (Sparks) and [[Bill Laimbeer]] (Shock) which stemmed from their days in the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]. The rough road to the finals and the tough play of the Shock wore down the Sparks,{{Citation needed|date=February 2016}} who lost the series two games to one and failed to three-peat. === 2004β2006: Further championship contention === During the 2003-04 off-season, the Sparks signed two players, [[Tamika Whitmore]] and [[Teresa Weatherspoon]], who had played for the [[New York Liberty]]. When the season began, the Sparks got off to a great start,{{Clarify|reason=vague|date=February 2016}} but coach Cooper left at mid-season to seek a coaching job in the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]. The loss of their coach was a factor in the team's so-so finish to the season,{{Citation needed|date=February 2016}} which ended with a record of 25β9. During the playoffs, the team lost in three games to the [[Sacramento Monarchs]]. The Sparks never recovered through the 2005 season and finished with a 17β17 record. They barely made the playoffs as the number-four seed. In the first round, the Sparks were outplayed and swept by the eventual champion Monarchs. In 2006, the Sparks played much better, posting a 25β9 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the [[Seattle Storm]] in three games. However, in the Western Conference finals, the Sparks' season was ended by the Monarchs for the third year in a row. === 2007: Rock bottom === [[File:Crypto.com_Arena_2022.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Crypto.com Arena]] After the 2006 season ended, team owner [[Jerry Buss]] announced he was selling the Sparks. On December 7, 2006, the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reported the sale to an investor group led by Kathy Goodman and Carla Christofferson. Goodman is a former executive for [[Intermedia Films]]. Christofferson is a [[litigation]] [[Lawyer|attorney]] for the [[OβMelveny & Myers]] law firm and was [[Miss North Dakota USA]] in 1989. The day after the sale was announced, team star Lisa Leslie announced that she was [[pregnant]] and would not play in the 2007 season. The Sparks posted a league-worst 10β24 record, also the worst in Sparks history. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 1998. === 2008β2015: Lisa Leslie's final years, the rise of Candace Parker, falling short and new ownership === Before the start of the 2008 season, the team's prospects improved dramatically. Lisa Leslie returned to the team, and on April 9, 2008, the team used its number-one draft pick to select [[Candace Parker]], the college player of the year, the morning after Parker had led the [[University of Tennessee]] Lady Vols to their second-straight NCAA championship. In 2008, the Sparks posted a 20β14 record and finished third in the Western Conference. Parker had won Rookie of the Year and WNBA MVP, becoming the first player in WNBA history to win both awards in the same season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wnba.com/player/candace-parker/#/bio|title=Candace Parker - WNBA|website=Wnba.com|access-date=2 December 2017}}</ref> In the playoffs, the Sparks beat the [[Seattle Storm]] 2β1 to reach the Western Conference Finals and compete against the [[San Antonio Stars|San Antonio Silver Stars]]. The Sparks were on track to win game 2 of the series, but Silver Star [[Sophia Young]] made a turn-around bank-shot with a second left on the clock to force the series to a deciding game three. The Sparks lost game three, and the Silver Stars moved on to the [[WNBA Finals]]. Following the 2008 season, Parker announced that she was pregnant. To compensate for Parker's absence, the Sparks signed native veteran superstar [[Tina Thompson]] (who had previously played for the former rival [[Houston Comets]]) and former Finals MVP [[Betty Lennox]] in free agency. With the addition of Thompson and Lennox, the Sparks added more championship experience and veteran leadership to their roster to them help them compete for another title. The 2009 season had started poorly for the Sparks. Parker began the season on maternity leave, and Leslie suffered a knee injury early in the season. Both Leslie and Parker returned to the court in July, however, sparking a 10β2 run which turned an 8β14 start into an 18β16 regular-season record and clinching the Sparks' tenth playoff appearance in their 13-year history. In the first round of the playoffs, the Sparks defeated the Seattle Storm for the third time in four years. In the Western Conference Finals, the Sparks' lost to the eventual champion [[Phoenix Mercury]] in three games. The end of the 2009 playoff run marked the end of Leslie's career as a player and Cooper's second tenure as Sparks' head coach. In the off-season, former Sparks player [[Jennifer Gillom]] became the team's new head coach. With the acquisition of former All-Star point guard [[Ticha Penicheiro]] and Parker establishing herself as the team's next [[franchise player]], the 2010 Sparks believed they had the pieces to contend for a championship.{{Citation needed|date=February 2016}} However, Parker had season-ending shoulder surgery after the team started 3β7. Without her, the Sparks struggled, finishing 13β21, which was good enough to qualify them for fourth place in the Western Conference, but they were swept by the eventual champion [[Seattle Storm]] in the first round. The 2011 season was eerily reminiscent of the previous year for the Sparks. The team started 4β3 but again Parker sustained an injury. Following three more losses, the Sparks fired head coach Gillom, promoting previous Sparks coach [[Joe Bryant]]. With Parker out until the end of the season, the Sparks headed into the [[2011 WNBA All-Star Game|All-Star break]] 6β8 and in fifth place. The Sparks finished the season three games out of the playoffs with a 15β19 record. Thompson would become a free agent and sign with the Seattle Storm. In the 2012 season, the Sparks significantly improved, making it back to the playoffs since 2010, finishing second in the Western Conference with a 24β10 record. That same year they drafted Rookie of the Year and future MVP [[Nneka Ogwumike]] with the number-one pick. However, the Sparks were eliminated 2β0 in the first round by the [[Minnesota Lynx]]. The team was owned by Williams Group Holdings ([[Paula Madison]], majority owner) and Carla Christofferson, Nicholas J H, and Lisa Leslie (minority owners) until January 2014 when it was abruptly announced that WGH would relinquish all control. Paula Madison said that since becoming an owner in 2007, she and her family had lost $12 million, including $1.4 million in 2013.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sacbee.com/2014/01/03/6044655/wnbas-la-sparks-looking-for-new.html| first=Doug| last=Feinberg| publisher=Sacramento Bee| website=sacbee.com| title=WNBA's LA Sparks looking for new owners| access-date=January 3, 2013| date=January 3, 2013| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104012741/http://www.sacbee.com/2014/01/03/6044655/wnbas-la-sparks-looking-for-new.html| archive-date=January 4, 2014}}</ref> The team was temporarily absorbed by the league, and was then purchased by Sparks LA Sports, a group that included former NBA player [[Magic Johnson]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-sparks-sold-magic-dodgers-20140204,0,3096283.story#axzz2sJrXrCHG|title=Sparks bought by investment group led by Magic Johnson and Mark Walter|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=February 4, 2014}}</ref> The 2014 and 2015 seasons would be disappointing for the Sparks as they had continued to be an underachieving playoff team, getting eliminated in the first round both years by the [[Phoenix Mercury]] and [[Minnesota Lynx]] respectively. === 2016: Champions once again === After making the playoffs in 2015, losing in the first round, the Sparks made subtle roster changes and improved the following year. Suddenly showing signs of championship contention, they finished with a 26β8 record and made it to the [[2016 WNBA Playoffs]]. By this time, the Sparks had a "Big Three", consisting of [[Candace Parker]], [[Nneka Ogwumike]] and [[Kristi Toliver]]. They earned the number 2 seed in the league and received a double bye to the semi-finals with the WNBA's new playoff format.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sparks.wnba.com/schedule/#?season=2016&seasontype=04 |title=Los Angeles Sparks lead Chicago in 2016 WNBA playoffs |website=[[WNBA.com]] |access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref> The Sparks faced off against the [[Chicago Sky]] in the semi-finals and defeated the Sky 3 games to 1 to advance to the Finals for the first time since 2003. They faced the number 1 seeded [[Minnesota Lynx]] in the finals. They stole game 1 on the road when veteran forward [[Alana Beard]] made a game-winning jumper at the buzzer, lifting the team to a 78β76 victory. They lost game 2 79β60, but back in Los Angeles, put themselves one win away from their first title in over a decade with a dominant 92β75 game 3 victory. Even though they expected to clinch a championship on their home floor, they lost game 4 in a disappointing finish of 85β79. Game 5 was truly historic, against all odds, and swarmed with Minnesota fans, the 2016 [[WNBA Most Valuable Player Award|WNBA MVP]], Nneka Ogwumike grabbed an offensive rebound and made the game-winning shot to put the Sparks ahead 77β76 with 3.1 seconds remaining. The Sparks won their first championship since 2002 and their third championship in franchise history. Candace Parker was named the Finals MVP.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sparks.wnba.com/schedule/#?season=2016&seasontype=04 |title=Sparks to face Minnesota Lynx in 2016 WNBA Finals |date=October 6, 2016 |website=Encyclopedia of Things |access-date=October 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://theweek.com/speedreads/656704/los-angeles-sparks-win-third-wnba-championship|title=Los Angeles Sparks win third WNBA championship|date=20 October 2016|website=Theweek.com|access-date=2 December 2017}}</ref> === 2017β2020: Hunting more championships === Coming into the 2017 season, the Sparks had some changes made in their roster. Toliver left the Sparks in free agency to join the [[Washington Mystics]], [[Chelsea Gray]] became the starting point guard, the Sparks traded for [[Odyssey Sims]], drafted [[Sydney Wiese]] and retooled most of their bench, but kept their core intact. The Sparks once again finished as the second best team in the league with a 26β8 record with a double-bye to the semi-finals. The Sparks swept the [[Phoenix Mercury]] 3-0 in the semi-finals, advancing to the Finals for the second season in a row, setting up a rematch with the Lynx. In Game 1, Gray made a game-winning jumper with 2 seconds left to give the Sparks a 1-0 series lead. In Game 3, Parker set the Finals record for most steals in a game with 5 steals as the Sparks were up 2β1 in the Finals. With another opportunity to close out the series at home, the Sparks failed to deliver as they lost Game 4 80β69, extending the series to a deciding Game 5. The Sparks would lose Game 5, failing to win back-to-back championships. In 2018, the Sparks continued to hold onto their core, but would underperform during the season, this time they would finish as the number 6 seed with a 19β15 record. They would start off their playoff run against the rival championship-defending Minnesota Lynx. They would defeat the Lynx 75β68, advancing to the second round. In the second round elimination game, the Sparks lost 96β64 to the [[Washington Mystics]], ending their run of two consecutive finals appearances. After the 2018 season, [[Brian Agler]] resigned as the coach of the Sparks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/25417898/brian-agler-resigns-los-angeles-sparks-coach|title=Brian Agler resigns as Sparks coach|website=espn.com|publisher=ESPN|first=Mechelle|last=Voepele|date=November 30, 2018|access-date=December 6, 2018}}</ref> One month later, the Sparks announced that [[Derek Fisher]] had been hired as a replacement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/derek-fisher-named-head-coach-of-los-angeles-sparks/|title=Sparks Hire Derek Fisher As Head Coach|first=Jonah|last=Ballow|work=WNBA.com|date=December 5, 2018|access-date=December 6, 2018}}</ref> After the 2019 season, [[Penny Toler]] was dismissed as general manager.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/los-angeles-sparks-gm-penny-toler-relieved-of-duties/ |title=Los Angeles Sparks GM Penny Toler Relieved Of Duties |publisher=WNBA |date=October 4, 2019 |access-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> === 2021βpresent: Post-Parker playoff drought === Before the 2021 season, both Parker and Gray left the team in free agency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klopfer |first=Brady |date=2021-01-29 |title=Why did Candace Parker and Chelsea Gray leave the Sparks? |url=https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2021/1/29/22256529/los-angeles-sparks-candace-parker-chelsea-gray |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Silver Screen and Roll |language=en}}</ref> The Sparks failed to make playoffs for the first time since 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Season Recap: Sparks Remain #RootedInLA In 2021 |url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/season-recap-sparks-remain-rootedinla-in-2021 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=sparks.wnba.com |language=en}}</ref> On June 7, 2022, the Sparks and Fisher parted ways as head coach and general manager after the team started the year 5-7, despite the acquisition of [[Liz Cambage]]. Fisher went 54-46 as head coach during his Sparks tenure.<ref>{{cite web |title=LA Sparks Part Ways with General Manager/Head Coach Derek Fisher |url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/la-sparks-part-ways-with-general-manager-head-coach-derek-fisher/ |website=sparks.wnba.com |publisher=WNBA |access-date=June 7, 2022}}</ref> [[Fred Williams (basketball, born 1957)|Fred Williams]] took over as interim head coach, but the Sparks ultimately missed the playoffs once again.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hruby |first=Emma |date=2022-08-16 |title=WNBA season in review: Los Angeles Sparks need 'harsh reset' |url=https://justwomenssports.com/reads/wnba-los-angeles-sparks-season-review-reset/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Just Women's Sports |language=en}}</ref> For the 2023 season, [[Curt Miller]] was named the new head coach, and [[Karen Bryant]] was named the new general manager.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-04 |title=2023 WNBA Free Agency: Sparks GM Karen Bryant, Coach Curt Miller seeking 'sustainable success' |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2023/01/04/2023-wnba-free-agency-sparks-gm-karen-bryant-and-coach-curt-miller-excited-to-build-sustainable-success/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Daily News |language=en-US}}</ref> The Sparks missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year, marking the first time in franchise history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Edwin |date=2023-09-15 |title=2022-23 Sparks Season in Review: the good, the bad and the ugly |url=https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2023/9/15/23872739/wnba-news-los-angeles-sparks-season-in-review-nneka-ogwumike-curt-miller |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Silver Screen and Roll |language=en}}</ref> They received the second overall pick in the draft lottery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendez-Yapkowitz |first=David |date=2023-12-11 |title=Sparks use lottery luck to move up to No. 2 |url=https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/sparks-use-lottery-luck-to-move-up-to-no-2/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=The Next |language=en-US}}</ref> Before the 2024 season, [[Raegan Pebley]] was named the new general manager,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Sparks Name Raegan Pebley General Manager |url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/los-angeles-sparks-name-raegan-pebley-general-manager |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=sparks.wnba.com |language=en}}</ref> while Nneka Ogwumike, the last remaining player from the 2016 championship team, departed the Sparks in free agency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendez-Yapkowitz |first=David |date=2024-01-25 |title=Where do Sparks go after losing Nneka Ogwumike in free agency? |url=https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/where-do-the-sparks-go-after-losing-nneka-ogwumike-in-free-agency/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=The Next |language=en-US}}</ref> Through trades, the Sparks acquired the fourth pick in the [[2024 WNBA draft]] and, with their two lottery picks, selected [[Cameron Brink]] and [[Rickea Jackson]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendez-Yapkowitz |first=David |date=2024-04-16 |title=Sparks land talented duo with WNBA Draft lottery picks |url=https://www.thenexthoops.com/wnba/los-angeles-sparks/sparks-land-talented-duo-with-wnba-draft-lottery-picks/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=The Next |language=en-US}}</ref> The Sparks finished the season with the league's worst record and subsequently parted ways with Miller.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-24 |title=Miller out as Sparks head coach after two seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/41424838/curt-miller-head-coach-wnba-sparks-2-seasons |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Following the season, the Sparks once again received the second overall pick in the draft lottery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Royer |first=Benjamin |date=2024-11-18 |title=Sparks miss out on No. 1 draft pick, landing again at second |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/sparks/story/2024-11-17/los-angeles-sparks-wnba-draft-lottery-dallas-wing-top-pick |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> On November 19, 2024, [[Lynne Roberts (basketball)|Lynne Roberts]] was announced as the new head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-19 |title=Sparks hire Utah's Roberts as new head coach |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/42493980/sparks-hire-utah-lynne-roberts-new-head-coach |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Before the [[2025 Los Angeles Sparks season|2025 season]], the Sparks traded away their second overall pick and acquired [[Kelsey Plum]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sparks Acquire Three-Time All-Star Kelsey Plum |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/sparks-acquire-kelsey-plum |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=www.wnba.com |language=en}}</ref> === Current home === The Los Angeles Sparks currently play in the [[Crypto.com Arena]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]. The capacity for a Sparks game is 13,141 because the upper level is closed off (capacity for a [[Los Angeles Lakers|Lakers]] game is 18,997). The Sparks have played in the Crypto.com Arena since [[2001 WNBA season|2001]]. They previously played at [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] but stayed there for two years after the Lakers departed for Crypto.com Arena until the venue was purchased by a local church. === Uniforms === * 2021βpresent: Nike and the WNBA unveiled new designs for all of its teams, and announced new edition uniforms. The Sparks unveiled a white uniform for the first time; all white uniforms were placed under the "Heroine" series. The purple uniform became part of the "Explorer" series, while a black third uniform was released as part of the "Rebel" series. The "Rebel" uniforms are similar to the NBA's "City" edition in that it evokes city or team culture and pride. * 2018β2020: [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] replaced Adidas as uniform provider. EquiTrust remains jersey sponsor, while slight tweaks were made in the fonts and striping. Similar to the NBA, Nike's WNBA uniforms were classified under the "Icon" and "Statement" series, with the Sparks' gold and purple jerseys designated as such. * 2015β2017: EquiTrust Life Insurance becomes new jersey sponsor; jersey remains unchanged other than the addition of the name of the sponsor. * 2013β2014: Farmers Insurance naming rights expire, and the team name returns on both jerseys. In addition a modified font for the jersey numbers was introduced. * 2011β2012: As part of the move to [[Adidas]]'s Revolution 30 technology, the Sparks unveiled new jerseys. Home uniforms remain gold, but numbers are now rounded and in white with purple trim. Away uniforms are purple with numbers in white with gold trim. The Farmers Insurance name will remain on the jerseys. * 2009β2010: On June 5, the Los Angeles Sparks and Farmers Insurance Group of Companies announced a multi-year marketing partnership that includes a branded jersey sponsorship. The Farmers Insurance branded jersey was worn by the players for the first time on June 6, 2009. As part of this alliance, the Farmers Insurance name and logo will appear on the front of the Sparks jerseys.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-06-05 |title=Sparks will wear Farmers Insurance sponsored jerseys beginning Saturday in season opener |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/sports-now/story/2009-06-05/sparks-will-wear-farmers-insurance-sponsored-jerseys-beginning-saturday-in-season-opener |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In the 2009 season, the Sparks yellow jersey is used regardless of home or away. In the 2010 season they introduced the purple jersey for away games. * 2007β2008: For home games, gold with purple lines and sparks on the side, with the name "Sparks" written across in purple. For away games, purple with golden yellow lines and sparks on the side, with the name "Los Angeles" in yellow. The uniform looks similar to the Los Angeles Lakers' uniform. * 1997β2006: For home games, gold with large purple stripe on the side, with the name "Sparks" written across in purple. For away games, purple with large gold stripe on the side, with the name "Los Angeles" in yellow. == Season-by-season records == {| class="wikitable" | align="center" bgcolor="#FFCCCC" |'''[[WNBA Finals|WNBA champions]]''' | align="center" bgcolor="#DDFFDD" |'''Conference champions''' | align="center" bgcolor="#96CDCD" |'''Playoff berth''' |} {|class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align: center; width: 85%; margin:1em auto;" |- ! rowspan=2 style="background:#eee; width: 10%;"|Season ! rowspan=2 style="background:#eee; width: 8%;"|Team ! rowspan=2 colspan=2 style="background:#eee; width: 12%;"|Conference ! colspan=3 style="background:#eee; width: 15%;"|Regular season ! rowspan=2 style="background:#eee; width: 30%;"|[[WNBA Playoffs|Playoff]] Results ! rowspan="2" |Awards ! rowspan=2 style="background:#eee; width: 13%;"|[[List of WNBA head coaches|Head coach]] |- ! style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|W ! style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|L ! style="background:#eee; width: 5%;"|Win % |- ! colspan="10" style="text-align:center; {{WNBA color cell|Los Angeles Sparks}};" |Los Angeles Sparks |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[1997 WNBA season|1997]] | [[1997 Los Angeles Sparks season|1997]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] | 2nd | 14 | 14 | {{winpct|14|14}} | Did not qualify | | [[Linda Sharp|L. Sharp]] (4β7)<br />[[Julie Rousseau|J. Rousseau]] (10β7) |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[1998 WNBA season|1998]] | [[1998 Los Angeles Sparks season|1998]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] | 3rd | 12 | 18 | {{winpct|12|18}} | Did not qualify | | [[Julie Rousseau|J. Rousseau]] (7β13)<br />[[Orlando Woolridge|O. Woolridge]] (5β5) |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[1999 WNBA season|1999]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[1999 Los Angeles Sparks season|1999]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| 2nd | 20 | 12 | {{winpct|20|12}} | '''Won''' Conference Semifinals ([[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]], 1β0)<br />'''Lost''' Conference Finals ([[Houston Comets|Houston]], 1β2) |[[Lisa Leslie]] ([[WNBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|AMVP]]) | [[Orlando Woolridge]] |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2000 WNBA season|2000]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2000 Los Angeles Sparks season|2000]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| '''1st''' | 28 | 4 | {{winpct|28|4}} | '''Won''' Conference Semifinals ([[Phoenix Mercury|Phoenix]], 2β0)<br /> '''Lost''' Conference Finals ([[Houston Comets|Houston]], 0β2) |[[Michael Cooper]] ([[WNBA Coach of the Year Award|COY]]) | rowspan="4" | [[Michael Cooper]] |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2001 WNBA season|2001]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2001 Los Angeles Sparks season|2001]] |bgcolor="#DDFFDD" style="width: 10%"|'''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]]''' |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| '''1st''' | 28 | 4 | {{winpct|28|4}} |bgcolor="#FFCCCC"| '''Won''' Conference Semifinals ([[Houston Comets|Houston]], 2β0)<br /> '''Won''' Conference Finals ([[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]], 2β1)<br /> '''Won''' WNBA Finals ([[Charlotte Sting|Charlotte]], 2β0) |[[Lisa Leslie]] ([[WNBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|AMVP]])<br />[[Lisa Leslie]] ([[WNBA Most Valuable Player|MVP]])<br />[[Lisa Leslie]] ([[WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|FMVP]]) |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2002 WNBA season|2002]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2002 Los Angeles Sparks season|2002]] |bgcolor="#DDFFDD" style="width: 10%"|'''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]]''' |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| '''1st''' | 25 | 7 | {{winpct|25|7}} |bgcolor="#FFCCCC"| '''Won''' Conference Semifinals ([[Seattle Storm|Seattle]], 2β0)<br /> '''Won''' Conference Finals ([[Utah Starzz|Utah]], 2β0)<br /> '''Won''' WNBA Finals ([[New York Liberty|New York]], 2β0) |[[Lisa Leslie]] ([[WNBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|AMVP]])<br />[[Lisa Leslie]] ([[WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|FMVP]]) |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2003 WNBA season|2003]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2003 Los Angeles Sparks season|2003]] |bgcolor="#DDFFDD" style="width: 10%"|'''[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]]''' |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| '''1st''' | 24 | 10 | {{winpct|24|10}} | '''Won''' Conference Semifinals ([[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]], 2β1)<br /> '''Won''' Conference Finals ([[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]], 2β1)<br /> '''Lost''' WNBA Finals ([[Detroit Shock|Detroit]], 1β2) |[[Nikki Teasley]] ([[WNBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|AMVP]]) |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2004 WNBA season|2004]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2004 Los Angeles Sparks season|2004]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| '''1st''' | 25 | 9 | {{winpct|25|9}} | '''Lost''' Conference Semifinals ([[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]], 1β2) |[[Lisa Leslie]] ([[WNBA Most Valuable Player|MVP]])<br />[[Lisa Leslie]] ([[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|DPOY]]) | [[Michael Cooper|M. Cooper]] (14β6)<br />[[Karleen Thompson|K. Thompson]] (11β3) |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2005 WNBA season|2005]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2005 Los Angeles Sparks season|2005]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| 4th | 17 | 17 | {{winpct|17|17}} | '''Lost''' Conference Semifinals ([[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]], 0β2) | | [[Henry Bibby|H. Bibby]] (13β15)<br />[[Joe Bryant|J. Bryant]] (4β2) |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2006 WNBA season|2006]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2006 Los Angeles Sparks season|2006]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| '''1st''' | 25 | 9 | {{winpct|25|9}} | '''Won''' Conference Semifinals ([[Seattle Storm|Seattle]], 2β1)<br /> '''Lost''' Conference Finals ([[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]], 0β2) |[[Lisa Leslie]] ([[WNBA Most Valuable Player|MVP]]) | [[Joe Bryant]] |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2007 WNBA season|2007]] | [[2007 Los Angeles Sparks season|2007]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] | 7th | 10 | 24 | {{winpct|10|24}} | Did not qualify | | rowspan="3" | [[Michael Cooper]] |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2008 WNBA season|2008]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2008 Los Angeles Sparks season|2008]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| 3rd | 20 | 14 | {{winpct|20|14}} | '''Won''' Conference Semifinals ([[Seattle Storm|Seattle]], 2β1)<br /> '''Lost''' Conference Finals ([[San Antonio Silver Stars|San Antonio]], 1β2) |[[Candace Parker]] ([[WNBA Most Valuable Player|MVP]])<br />[[Candace Parker]] ([[WNBA Rookie of the Year Award|ROY]])<br />[[Lisa Leslie]] ([[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|DPOY]]) |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2009 WNBA season|2009]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2009 Los Angeles Sparks season|2009]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| 3rd | 18 | 16 | {{winpct|18|16}} | '''Won''' Conference Semifinals ([[Seattle Storm|Seattle]], 2β1)<br /> '''Lost''' Conference Finals ([[Phoenix Mercury|Phoenix]], 1β2) | |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2010 WNBA season|2010]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2010 Los Angeles Sparks season|2010]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| 4th | 13 | 21 | {{winpct|13|21}} | '''Lost''' Conference Semifinals ([[Seattle Storm|Seattle]], 0β2) | | [[Jennifer Gillom]] |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2011 WNBA season|2011]] | [[2011 Los Angeles Sparks season|2011]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] | 5th | 15 | 19 | {{winpct|15|19}} | Did not qualify | | [[Jennifer Gillom|J. Gillom]] (4β6)<br />[[Joe Bryant|J. Bryant]] (11β13) |- style="text-align:center;" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2012 WNBA season|2012]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2012 Los Angeles Sparks season|2012]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| 2nd | 24 | 10 | {{winpct|24|10}} | '''Won''' Conference Semifinals ([[San Antonio Silver Stars|San Antonio]], 2β0)<br /> '''Lost''' Conference Finals ([[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]], 0β2) |[[Nneka Ogwumike]] ([[WNBA Rookie of the Year Award|ROY]])<br />[[Kristi Toliver]] ([[WNBA Most Improved Player Award|MIP]])<br />[[Carol Ross]] ([[WNBA Coach of the Year Award|COY]]) | rowspan="2" | [[Carol Ross]] |-align="center" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2013 WNBA season|2013]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2013 Los Angeles Sparks season|2013]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| 2nd | 24 | 10 | {{winpct|24|10}} | '''Lost''' Conference Semifinals ([[Phoenix Mercury|Phoenix]], 1β2) |[[Candace Parker]] ([[WNBA Most Valuable Player|MVP]]) |-align="center" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2014 WNBA season|2014]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2014 Los Angeles Sparks season|2014]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| 4th | 16 | 18 | {{winpct|16|18}} | '''Lost''' Conference Semifinals ([[Phoenix Mercury|Phoenix]], 0β2) | | [[Carol Ross|C. Ross]] (10β12)<br />[[Penny Toler|P. Toler]] (6β6) |-align="center" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2015 WNBA season|2015]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2015 Los Angeles Sparks season|2015]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| 4th | 14 | 20 | {{winpct|14|20}} | '''Lost''' Conference Semifinals ([[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]], 1β2) | | rowspan="4" | [[Brian Agler]] |-align="center" !style="background:#eee;"| [[2016 WNBA season|2016]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| [[2016 Los Angeles Sparks season|2016]] | style="width: 10%"|[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] |bgcolor="#96CDCD"| 2nd | 26 | 8 | {{winpct|26|8}} |bgcolor="#FFCCCC"| '''Won''' WNBA Semifinals ([[Chicago Sky|Chicago]], 3β1)<br /> '''Won''' WNBA Finals ([[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]], 3β2) |[[Jantel Lavender]] ([[WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year Award|SIX]])<br />[[Nneka Ogwumike]] ([[WNBA Most Valuable Player|MVP]])<br />[[Candace Parker]] ([[WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|FMVP]]) |- align="center" ! style="background:#eee;" |[[2017 WNBA season|2017]] | bgcolor="#96CDCD" |[[2017 Los Angeles Sparks season|2017]] | style="width: 10%" |[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] | bgcolor="#96CDCD" | 2nd | 26 | 8 |{{winpct|26|8}} |'''Won''' WNBA Semifinals ([[Phoenix Mercury|Phoenix]], 3β0)<br /> '''Lost''' WNBA Finals ([[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]], 2β3) |[[Alana Beard]] ([[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|DPOY]]) |- align="center" ! style="background:#eee;" | [[2018 WNBA season|2018]] | bgcolor="#96CDCD" | [[2018 Los Angeles Sparks season|2018]] | style="width: 10%" |[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] | bgcolor="#96CDCD" | 3rd | 19 | 15 | {{winpct|19|15}} | '''Won''' First Round ([[Minnesota Lynx|Minnesota]], 1β0)<br /> '''Lost''' Second Round ([[Washington Mystics|Washington]], 0β1) |[[Alana Beard]] ([[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|DPOY]]) |- align="center" ! style="background:#eee;" | [[2019 WNBA season|2019]] | bgcolor="#96CDCD" | [[2019 Los Angeles Sparks season|2019]] | style="width: 10%" |[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] | bgcolor="#96CDCD" | 1st | 22 | 12 | {{winpct|22|12}} |'''Won''' Second Round ([[Seattle Storm|Seattle]], 1β0)<br />'''Lost''' WNBA Semifinals ([[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]], 0β3) | | rowspan="3" | [[Derek Fisher]] |- align="center" ! style="background:#eee;" | [[2020 WNBA season|2020]] | bgcolor="#96CDCD" | [[2020 Los Angeles Sparks season|2020]] | style="width: 10%" |[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] | bgcolor="96CDCD" | 3rd | 15 | 7 | {{winpct|15|7}} | '''Lost''' Second Round ([[Connecticut Sun|Connecticut]], 0–1) |[[Candace Parker]] ([[WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|DPOY]]) |- align="center" ! style="background:#eee;" | [[2021 WNBA season|2021]] | [[2021 Los Angeles Sparks season|2021]] | style="width: 10%" |[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] | 6th | 12 | 20 | {{winpct|12|20}} | Did not qualify | |- align="center" ! style="background:#eee;" | [[2022 WNBA season|2022]] | [[2022 Los Angeles Sparks season|2022]] | style="width: 10%" |[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] | 6th | 13 | 23 | {{winpct|13|23}} | Did not qualify | | [[Derek Fisher]] (5β7)<br>[[Fred Williams (basketball, born 1957)|Fred Williams]] (8β16) |- align="center" ! style="background:#eee;" | [[2023 WNBA season|2023]] | [[2023 Los Angeles Sparks season|2023]] | style="width: 10%" |[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] | 4th | 17 | 23 | {{winpct|17|23}} | Did not qualify | | rowspan="2" |[[Curt Miller]] |- align="center" ! style="background:#eee;" | [[2024 WNBA season|2024]] | [[2024 Los Angeles Sparks season|2024]] | style="width: 10%" |[[Western Conference (WNBA)|West]] | 6th | 8 | 32 | {{winpct|8|32}} | Did not qualify | |- ! colspan=4 style="background:#eee;"|Regular season | style="background:#eee;"|520 | style="background:#eee;"|380 | style="background:#eee;"|{{winpct|520|380}} | colspan="3" style="background:#eee;" |5 Conference Championships |- ! colspan=4 style="background:#eee;"|Playoffs | style="background:#eee;"|47 | style="background:#eee;"|43 | style="background:#eee;"|{{winpct|47|43}} | colspan="3" style="background:#eee;" |'''3 WNBA Championships''' |} == Players == === Current roster === Current injuries are not updated. {{Los Angeles Sparks roster}} === Other rights owned === {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="{{WNBA color cell|Los Angeles Sparks|border=2}};"|Nationality ! style="{{WNBA color cell|Los Angeles Sparks|border=2}};"|Name ! style="{{WNBA color cell|Los Angeles Sparks|border=2}};"|Years pro ! style="{{WNBA color cell|Los Angeles Sparks|border=2}};"|Last played ! style="{{WNBA color cell|Los Angeles Sparks|border=2}};"|Drafted |- | {{flagicon|Ukraine}} | [[Alina Iagupova]] | 0 | N/A | N/A |- | {{flagicon|Russia}} | [[Maria Vadeeva]] | 2 | [[2019 WNBA season|2019]] | [[2018 WNBA season|2018]] |- | {{flagicon|Czech Republic}} | Julia ReisingerovΓ‘ | 0 | N/A | [[2018 WNBA season|2018]] |} === Retired numbers === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- | colspan="5" style="{{WNBA color cell|Los Angeles Sparks}};"|'''Los Angeles Sparks retired numbers''' |- ! style="width:40px; {{WNBA color cell2|Los Angeles Sparks}};"|No. ! style="width:150px; {{WNBA color cell2|Los Angeles Sparks}};"|Player ! style="width:40px; {{WNBA color cell2|Los Angeles Sparks}};"|Position ! style="width:100px; {{WNBA color cell2|Los Angeles Sparks}};"|Tenure ! style="width:40px; {{WNBA color cell2|Los Angeles Sparks}};"|Ref. |- | '''9''' || [[Lisa Leslie]] || [[Center (basketball)|C]] || 1997β2009 || <ref>[http://www.espn.com/news/story?id=5450577 Sparks to retire Lisa Leslie's jersey] on ESPN, 9 Aug 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-la-sparks-to-retire-lisa-leslies-jersey-2010aug09-story.html LA Sparks to retire Lisa Leslie's jersey], ''The San Diego Union Tribune'', 9 Aug 2010</ref> |- | '''11''' || [[Penny Toler]] || [[Guard (basketball)|G]] || 1997β1999 || <ref>[http://www.wnba.com/archive/wnba/sparks/news/jersey_toler_060717.html Sparks Retire Tolerβs Jersey] on WNBA.com</ref> |} ===FIBA Hall of Fame=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! colspan="5" style="{{WNBA color cell|Los Angeles Sparks}}"|Los Angeles Sparks Hall of Famers |- ! colspan="5" style="{{WNBA color cell2|Los Angeles Sparks}}"|Players |- ! No. ! Name ! Position ! Tenure ! Inducted |- | '''12''' || [[Margo Dydek]] || [[Center (basketball)|C]] || 2008 || 2019 |- | '''28''' || [[Zheng Haixia]] || [[Center (basketball)|C]] || 1997β1998 || 2021 |} == Coaches and staff == === Owners === *[[Jerry Buss]], owner of the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] (1997β2006) *Gemini Basketball LLC, composed of Carla Christofferson, Kathy Goodman, and Lynai Jones (2006β2011) *Williams Group Holdings (Paula Madison) (2011β2014)<ref>{{cite web |title=Los Angeles Sparks 2012 Media Guide |page=7 |publisher=Los Angeles Sparks |url=http://www.wnba.com/sparks/media/2012_Sparks_Media_Guide.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023081231/http://www.wnba.com/sparks/media/2012_Sparks_Media_Guide.pdf |archive-date=2012-10-23 |url-status=dead |access-date=2013-04-25 }}</ref> and Carla Christofferson, Kathy Goodman, and Lisa Leslie (2011β2013) *Sparks LA Sports ([[Mark Walter]], [[Magic Johnson]], [[Stan Kasten]], [[Todd Boehly]], [[Bobby Patton]], Eric Holoman) (2014βpresent)<ref>{{cite web |title=Owners, Coaches, General Managers |url=https://sparks.wnba.com/owners-coaches-general-managers/ |website=sparks.wnba.com |access-date=30 July 2023}}</ref> === Head coaches === {| class="wikitable" style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;" ! colspan=12 style="{{WNBA color cell|Los Angeles Sparks}};"|Los Angeles Sparks head coaches |- ! style="width:15%;" rowspan=2|Name ! style="width:10%;" rowspan=2|Start ! style="width:10%;" rowspan=2|End ! style="width:5%;" rowspan=2|Seasons ! style="width:20%;" colspan=4|Regular season ! style="width:20%;" colspan=4|Playoffs |- ! style="width:5%;"|W ! style="width:5%;"|L ! style="width:5%;"|Win % ! style="width:5%;"|G ! style="width:5%;"|W ! style="width:5%;"|L ! style="width:5%;"|Win % ! style="width:5%;"|G |- | '''[[Linda Sharp]]''' || Beginning of [[1997 WNBA season|1997]] || July 16, 1997 || 1 || 4 || 7 || .364 || 11 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0 |- | '''[[Julie Rousseau]]''' || July 16, 1997 || July 30, 1998 || 2 || 17 || 20 || .459 || 37 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0 |- | '''[[Orlando Woolridge]]''' || July 30, 1998 || October 2, 1999 || 2 || 25 || 17 || .595 || 42 || 2 || 2 || .500 || 4 |- | '''[[Michael Cooper]]''' || October 14, 1999 || July 18, 2004 || 5 || 119 || 31 || .793 || 150 || 19 || 7 || .731 || 26 |- | '''[[Karleen Thompson]]''' || July 18, 2004 || End of [[2004 WNBA season|2004]] || 1 || 11 || 3 || .786 || 14 || 1 || 2 || .333 || 3 |- | '''[[Ryan Weisenberg]]''' || July 18, 2004 || End of [[2004 WNBA season|2004]] || 1 || 11 || 3 || .786 || 14 || 1 || 2 || .333 || 3 |- | '''[[Henry Bibby]]''' || April 7, 2005 || August 22, 2005 || 1 || 13 || 15 || .464 || 29 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0 |- | '''[[Joe Bryant]]''' || August 22, 2005 || April 4, 2007 || 2 || 29 || 11 || .725 || 39 || 2 || 5 || .286 || 7 |- | '''[[Michael Cooper]]''' || April 4, 2007 || End of [[2009 WNBA season|2009]] || 3 || 48 || 54 || .471 || 102 || 6 || 6 || .500 || 12 |- | '''[[Michael Cooper]]''' || colspan=2|Total || 8 || 167 || 85 || .663 || 252 || 25 || 13 || .658 || 38 |- | '''[[Jennifer Gillom]]''' || December 14, 2009 || July 11, 2011 || 2 || 17 || 27 || .386 || 44 || 0 || 2 || .000 || 2 |- | '''[[Joe Bryant]]''' || July 11, 2011 || January 5, 2012 || 1 || 11 || 13 || .458 || 24 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0 |- | '''[[Joe Bryant]]''' || colspan=2|Total || 3 || 40 || 24 || .625 || 63 || 2 || 5 || .286 || 7 |- | '''[[Carol Ross]]''' || January 5, 2012 || July 20, 2014 || 3 || 58 || 32 || .644 || 90 || 3 || 4 || .429 || 7 |- | '''[[Penny Toler]]''' || July 20, 2014 || End of [[2014 WNBA season|2014]] || 1 || 6 || 6 || .500 || 12 || 0 || 2 || .000 || 2 |- | '''[[Brian Agler]]''' || January 5, 2015 || November 1, 2018 || 4 || 85 || 51 || .625 || 136 || 13 || 9 || .591 || 22 |- | '''[[Derek Fisher]]''' || December 5, 2018 || June 7, 2022 || 4 || 54 || 46 || {{winpct|54|46}} || 100 || 1 || 4 || .200 || 5 |- | '''[[Fred Williams (basketball, born 1957)|Fred Williams]]''' || June 7, 2022 || August 17, 2022 || 1 || 8 || 16 || {{winpct|8|16}} || 24 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0 |- | '''[[Curt Miller]]''' || October 21, 2022 || September 24, 2024|| 2 || 25 || 55 || {{winpct|25|55}} || 80 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0 |- | '''[[Lynne Roberts (basketball)|Lynne Roberts]]''' || November 19, 2024 || present || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0 || 0 || 0 || .000 || 0 |} === General Managers === *[[Rhonda Windham]] (1997β1999) *[[Penny Toler]] (2000β2019) *[[Derek Fisher]] (2021β2022) *[[Karen Bryant]] (2023) *[[Raegan Pebley]] (2024βpresent) === Assistant coaches === {{div col}} *[[Julie Rousseau]] (1997) *[[Orlando Woolridge]] (1998) *[[Michael Cooper]] (1999) *[[Marianne Stanley]] (2000, 2008β2009) *[[Glenn McDonald]] (2000β2002) *[[Karleen Thompson]] (2002β2004) *[[Ryan Weisenberg]] (2003β2004) *Bob Webb (2005) *[[Shelley Patterson]] (2005) *Michael Abraham (2006β2007) *Margaret Mohr (2006β2007) *[[Laura Beeman]] (2008β2009) *[[Larry Smith (basketball, born 1958)|Larry Smith]] (2008) *Steve Smith (1998, 2009β2010, 2014, 2023) *[[Sandy Brondello]] (2011β2013) *[[Joe Bryant]] (2011) *[[Jim Lewis (basketball)|Jim Lewis]] (2012) *[[Bridget Pettis]] (2013) *[[Gail Goestenkors]] (2014) *[[Gary Kloppenburg]] (2014) *[[Curt Miller]] (2015) *[[Amber Stocks]] (2015β2016) *[[Tonya Edwards]] (2016β2018) *[[Bobbie Kelsey]] (2017β2018) *[[Latricia Trammell]] (2019β2022) *[[Fred Williams (basketball, born 1957)|Fred Williams]] (2019β2022) *[[Seimone Augustus]] (2021β2022) *[[Chris Koclanes]] (2023) *Danielle Viglione (2023) *Neil Harrow (2024) *[[Nola Henry]] (2024) *[[Camille Little]] (2024) *[[Nikki Blue]] (2025) *[[Danielle Robinson]] (2025βpresent) *Zak Buncik (2025βpresent) *[[Mike Neighbors]] (2025βpresent) {{div col end}} == Statistics == {{game log start|style={{WNBA color cell|Los Angeles Sparks}}|title=Los Angeles Sparks statistics}} {{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{WNBA color cell2|Los Angeles Sparks}}|title=1990s |rowspan1=2|width1=4%|Season|colspan2=3|Individual|colspan3=3|Team vs Opponents}} |- ! style="width:8%;"|[[Points per game|PPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Rebounds per game|RPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Assists per game|APG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Points per game|PPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Rebounds per game|RPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Field goal percentage|FG%]] |- | '''[[1997 Los Angeles Sparks season|1997]]''' | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (15.9) | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (9.5) | [[Penny Toler|P. Toler]] (5.1) | 74.0 vs 71.8 | 34.8 vs 32.9 | .446 vs .397 |- | '''[[1998 Los Angeles Sparks season|1998]]''' | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (19.6) | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (10.2) | [[Penny Toler|P. Toler]] (4.8) | 71.6 vs 72.3 | 34.0 vs 33.3 | .416 vs .411 |- | '''[[1999 Los Angeles Sparks season|1999]]''' | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (15.6) | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (7.8) | [[Mwadi Mabika|M. Mabika]] (3.5) | 76.5 vs 72.4 | 33.3 vs 32.2 | .435 vs .410 |- {{Game log section end}} {{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{WNBA color cell2|Los Angeles Sparks}}|title=2000s |rowspan1=2|width1=4%|Season|colspan2=3|Individual|colspan3=3|Team vs Opponents}} |- ! style="width:8%;"|[[Points per game|PPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Rebounds per game|RPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Assists per game|APG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Points per game|PPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Rebounds per game|RPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Field goal percentage|FG%]] |- | '''[[2000 Los Angeles Sparks season|2000]]''' | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (17.8) | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (9.6) | [[Ukari Figgs|U. Figgs]] (4.0) | 75.5 vs 67.8 | 34.1 vs 30.6 | .440 vs .395 |- | '''[[2001 Los Angeles Sparks season|2001]]''' | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (19.5) | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (9.6) | [[Ukari Figgs|U. Figgs]] (3.9) | 76.3 vs 67.7 | 34.5 vs 28.8 | .451 vs .392 |- | '''[[2002 Los Angeles Sparks season|2002]]''' | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (16.9) | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (10.4) | [[Nikki Teasley|N. Teasley]] (4.4) | 76.6 vs 69.8 | 35.7 vs 30.0 | .445 vs .390 |- | '''[[2003 Los Angeles Sparks season|2003]]''' | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (18.4) | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (10.0) | [[Nikki Teasley|N. Teasley]] (6.3) | 73.5 vs 71.5 | 33.8 vs 32.5 | .418 vs .403 |- | '''[[2004 Los Angeles Sparks season|2004]]''' | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (17.6) | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (9.9) | [[Nikki Teasley|N. Teasley]] (6.1) | 73.4 vs 69.4 | 33.0 vs 31.4 | .437 vs .389 |- | '''[[2005 Los Angeles Sparks season|2005]]''' | [[Chamique Holdsclaw|C. Holdsclaw]] (17.0) | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (7.3) | [[Nikki Teasley|N. Teasley]] (3.7) | 68.4 vs 69.0 | 29.5 vs 30.6 | .428 vs .418 |- | '''[[2006 Los Angeles Sparks season|2006]]''' | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (20.0) | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (9.5) | [[Temeka Johnson|T. Johnson]] (5.0) | 75.7 vs 72.8 | 35.4 vs 31.8 | .438 vs .400 |- | '''[[2007 Los Angeles Sparks season|2007]]''' | [[Taj McWilliams-Franklin|T. McWilliams]] (11.1) | [[Taj McWilliams-Franklin|T. McWilliams]] (5.9) | [[Sherill Baker|S. Baker]] (3.2) | 74.5 vs 79.6 | 33.5 vs 34.7 | .408 vs .431 |- | '''[[2008 Los Angeles Sparks season|2008]]''' | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (18.5) | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (9.5) | [[Shannon Bobbitt|S. Bobbitt]] (3.5) | 76.4 vs 74.2 | 37.7 vs 33.1 | .424 vs .384 |- | '''[[2009 Los Angeles Sparks season|2009]]''' | [[Lisa Leslie|L. Leslie]] (15.4) | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (9.8) | [[Noelle Quinn|N. Quinn]] (3.5) | 74.5 vs 73.5 | 36.7 vs 30.9 | .430 vs .399 |- {{Game log section end}} {{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{WNBA color cell2|Los Angeles Sparks}}|title=2010s |rowspan1=2|width1=4%|Season|colspan2=3|Individual|colspan3=3|Team vs Opponents}} |- ! style="width:8%;"|[[Points per game|PPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Rebounds per game|RPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Assists per game|APG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Points per game|PPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Rebounds per game|RPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Field goal percentage|FG%]] |- | '''[[2010 Los Angeles Sparks season|2010]]''' | [[Tina Thompson|T. Thompson]] (16.6) | [[Tina Thompson|T. Thompson]] (6.2) | [[Ticha Penicheiro|T. Penicheiro]] (6.9) | 77.9 vs 81.2 | 30.8 vs 35.3 | .441 vs .441 |- | '''[[2011 Los Angeles Sparks season|2011]]''' | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (18.5) | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (8.6) | [[Ticha Penicheiro|T. Penicheiro]] (4.8) | 77.1 vs 80.3 | 31.7 vs 34.8 | .445 vs .447 |- | '''[[2012 Los Angeles Sparks season|2012]]''' | [[Kristi Toliver|K. Toliver]] (17.5) | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (9.7) | [[Kristi Toliver|K. Toliver]] (4.9) | 84.0 vs 78.3 | 36.9 vs 33.6 | .458 vs .416 |- | '''[[2013 Los Angeles Sparks season|2013]]''' | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (17.9) | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (8.7) | [[Lindsey Harding|L. Harding]] (5.2) | 81.9 vs 75.0 | 34.6 vs 33.6 | .475 vs .412 |- | '''[[2014 Los Angeles Sparks season|2014]]''' | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (19.4) | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]]<br />[[Nneka Ogwumike|N. Ogwumike]] (7.1) | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (4.3) | 77.4 vs 77.6 | 32.4 vs 33.6 | .457 vs .450 |- | '''[[2015 Los Angeles Sparks season|2015]]''' | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (19.4) | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (10.1) | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (6.3) | 73.6 vs 74.6 | 32.1 vs 32.9 | .452 vs .415 |- | '''[[2016 Los Angeles Sparks season|2016]]''' | [[Nneka Ogwumike|N. Ogwumike]] (19.7) | [[Nneka Ogwumike|N. Ogwumike]] (9.1) | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (4.9) | 83.0 vs 75.9 | 31.5 vs 32.4 | .487 vs .433 |- | '''[[2017 Los Angeles Sparks season|2017]]''' | [[Nneka Ogwumike|N. Ogwumike]] (18.8) | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (8.4) | [[Chelsea Gray|C. Gray]] (4.4) | 83.5 vs 75.2 | 31.4 vs 31.9 | .479 vs .430 |- | '''[[2018 Los Angeles Sparks season|2018]]''' | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (17.9) | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (8.2) | [[Chelsea Gray|C. Gray]] (5.1) | 78.9 vs 77.0 | 31.3 vs 35.1 | .452 vs .450 |- | '''[[2019 Los Angeles Sparks season|2019]]''' | [[Nneka Ogwumike|N. Ogwumike]] (16.1) | [[Nneka Ogwumike|N. Ogwumike]] (8.8) | [[Chelsea Gray|C. Gray]] (5.9) | 80.1 vs 77.2 | 34.2 vs 36.3 | .432 vs .408 |- {{Game log section end}} {{Game log section start|hide=n|style={{WNBA color cell2|Los Angeles Sparks}}|title=2020s |rowspan1=2|width1=4%|Season|colspan2=3|Individual|colspan3=3|Team vs Opponents}} |- ! style="width:8%;"|[[Points per game|PPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Rebounds per game|RPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Assists per game|APG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Points per game|PPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Rebounds per game|RPG]] ! style="width:8%;"|[[Field goal percentage|FG%]] |- | '''[[2020 Los Angeles Sparks season|2020]]''' | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (14.7) | [[Candace Parker|C. Parker]] (9.7) | [[Chelsea Gray|C. Gray]] (5.3) | 84.9 vs 80.3 | 31.4 vs 34.1 | .481 vs .449 |- | '''[[2021 Los Angeles Sparks season|2021]]''' | [[Nneka Ogwumike|N. Ogwumike]] (14.5) | [[Nneka Ogwumike|N. Ogwumike]] (6.5) | [[Erica Wheeler (basketball)|E. Wheeler]] (4.8) | 72.8 vs 77.1 | 29.2 vs 38.3 | .411 vs .419 |- | '''[[2022 Los Angeles Sparks season|2022]]''' | [[Nneka Ogwumike|N. Ogwumike]] (18.1) | [[Nneka Ogwumike|N. Ogwumike]] (6.6) | [[Jordin Canada|J. Canada]] (5.5) | 79.4 vs 86.6 | 30.4 vs 35.2 | .446 vs .467 |- | '''[[2023 Los Angeles Sparks season|2023]]''' | [[Nneka Ogwumike|N. Ogwumike]] (19.1) | [[Nneka Ogwumike|N. Ogwumike]] (8.8) | [[Jordin Canada|J. Canada]] (6.0) | 78.9 vs 80.5 | 31.5 vs 35.0 | .425 vs .457 |- | '''[[2024 Los Angeles Sparks season|2024]]''' | [[Dearica Hamby|D. Hamby]] (17.3) | [[Dearica Hamby|D. Hamby]] (9.2) | [[Odyssey Sims|O. Sims]] (5.1) | 78.4 vs 85.6 | 32.7 vs 34.0 | .423 vs .464 {{Game log section end}} {{Game log end}} == Media coverage == Currently, some Sparks games are broadcast on [[Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)|Spectrum SportsNet]], a local television channel in the [[Southern California]] area, after agreeing to a multi-year broadcast deal with [[Time Warner Cable]] in March 2012 which was later acquired by [[Charter Communications]] in May 2016.<ref>[http://www.multichannel.com/article/481874-Time_Warner_Cable_Sports_Dunks_Multiyear_Rights_Deal_with_WNBA_s_LA_Sparks.php Time Warner Cable Sports Dunks Multiyear Rights Deal with WNBA's LA Sparks] Multichannel News March 14, 2011</ref> Broadcasters for the Sparks games are Larry Burnett and [[Lisa Leslie]]. Previously, Sparks games were found on [[Bally Sports West|Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket]] and former analysts have included [[Derek Fisher]] and [[Ann Meyers]]. Some Sparks games are broadcast nationally on [[ESPN]], [[WNBA on ESPN|ESPN2]], [[Ion Television]], [[CBS]], [[CBS Sports Network]] and [[NBA on ABC#WNBA on ABC|ABC]].<ref>[http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/162162/wnba-extends-tv-rights-deal-with-espn-and-abc WNBA Extends TV Rights Deal with ESPN and ABC] Sports Business June 18, 2007</ref> Currently, the team's games are not on radio; however, the team did bounce around several stations from [[1999 Los Angeles Sparks season|1999]] to [[2008 Los Angeles Sparks season|2008]]. The first two years had no broadcasts. Then in 1999, the team signed with KWKU, a sister station to Spanish-language [[KWKW]], licensed to [[Pomona, California]]. According to an article in the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' published in this period, KWKU had no switchboard and no website. In addition, its 500-watt signal reached only a handful of people in the greater L.A. area and was certainly nowhere near the team's home arenas. In [[2003 Los Angeles Sparks season|2003]], the team left KWKU for [[KLAC]], which had summer time slots available after the [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim|Anaheim Angels]]' radio broadcasts had just left. That lasted until [[2006 Los Angeles Sparks season|2006]], when KLAC switched the broadcasts to [[XEWW-AM|XETRA]], which carried the same format KLAC had before. In [[2007 Los Angeles Sparks season|2007]], the game broadcasts moved again, this time to [[KEIB|KTLK]], when XETRA switched its language of broadcasts from English to Spanish. The Sparks and [[Clear Channel Communications]] (licensee of the last three stations mentioned) chose not to renew their contract after 2008. Sparks radio broadcasts never covered a complete season; most nationally-televised games and many games from the [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|Eastern time zone]] were not covered. Burnett was the announcer. == All-time notes == === Regular season attendance === *A sellout for a basketball game at [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] (1997β2000) is 17,505. *A sellout for a basketball game at [[Crypto.com Arena|Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center)]] (2001βpresent) is 19,079. {| class="wikitable" style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;" ! colspan=7 style="{{WNBA color cell|Los Angeles Sparks}};"|Regular season all-time attendance |- ! style="width:75px;" | Year ! style="width:150px;" | Average ! style="width:100px;" | High ! style="width:100px;" | Low ! style="width:75px;" | Sellouts ! style="width:150px;" | Total for year ! style="width:150px;" | WNBA game average |- | '''1997''' || 8,937 (4th) || 14,457 || 5,987 || 0 || 125,114 || 9,669 |- | '''1998''' || 7,653 (9th) || 11,191 || 4,851 || 0 || 114,801 || 10,869 |- | '''1999''' || 7,625 (10th) || 13,116 || 5,436 || 0 || 122,000 || 10,207 |- | '''2000''' || 6,563 (14th) || 11,378 || 4,416 || 0 || 105,005 || 9,074 |- | '''2001''' || 9,278 (4th) || 11,819 || 6,591 || 0 || 148,446 || 9,075 |- | '''2002''' || 11,651 (3rd) || 18,542 || 7,487 || 0 || 186,410 || 9,228 |- | '''2003''' || 9,290 (4th) || 11,320 || 6,710 || 0 || 157,934 || 8,800 |- | '''2004''' || 10,369 (2nd) || 18,997 || 8,368 || 0 || 176,269 || 8,613 |- | '''2005''' || 8,839 (5th) || 17,769 || 7,246 || 0 || 143,211 || 8,172 |- | '''2006''' || 8,312 (5th) || 12,289 || 6,670 || 0 || 141,312 || 7,476 |- | '''2007''' || 8,695 (3rd) || 13,092 || 6,748 || 0 || 147,810 || 7,742 |- | '''2008''' || 9,429 (2nd) || 13,142 || 7,245 || 0 || 161,369 || 7,948 |- | '''2009''' || 10,387 (2nd) || 13,865 || 8,263 || 0 || 176,587 || 8,039 |- | '''2010''' || 9,468 (2nd) || 14,413 || 6,026 || 0 || 160,951 || 7,834 |- | '''2011''' || 10,316 (2nd) || 14,266 || 7,522 || 0 || 175,366 || 7,954 |- | '''2012''' || 10,089 (1st) || 12,639 || 8,312 || 0 || 171,511 || 7,452 |- | '''2013''' || 9,869 (1st) || 12,651 || 6,110 || 0 || 167,773 || 7,531 |- | '''2014''' || 8,288 (5th) || 10,138 || 5,317 || 0 || 140,901 || 7,578 |- | '''2015''' || 7,464 (6th) || 19,076 || 4,344 || 0 || 126,895 || 7,184 |- | '''2016''' || 9,638 (3rd) || 19,076 || 6,152 || 0 || 163,839 || 7,655 |- | '''2017''' || 11,350 (1st) || 19,282 || 7,233 || 1 || 192,957 || 7,713 |- | '''2018''' || 10,642 (1st) || 19,076 || 6,280 || 0 || 180,910 || 6,721 |- | '''2019''' || 11,306 (1st) || 17,076 || 8,816 || 0 || 192,204 || 6,535 |- align="center" | '''2020''' || colspan=6 | Due to the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports|COVID-19 pandemic]], the season was played in [[IMG Academy|Bradenton, Florida]] without fans.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-15|title=WNBA Announces Plan To Tip Off 2020 Season|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-announces-plan-to-tip-off-2020-season/|access-date=2020-06-17|website=WNBA|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-15|title=WNBA announces plans for 2020 season to start late July in Florida|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/mystics/wnba-announces-plans-2020-season-start-late-july-florida|access-date=2020-06-15|website=NBC Sports Washington}}</ref> |- | '''2021''' || 1,221 (11th) || 4,181 || 301 || 0 || 18,319 || 2,636 |- | '''2022''' || 5,653 (6th) || 10,021 || 4,834 || 0 || 101,747 || 5,679 |- | '''2023''' || 6,554 (7th) || 11,970{{efn|group=att|The Sparks played two 2023 home games at Galen Center.}} || 3,469 || 0 || 131,070 || 6,615 |- | '''2024''' || 11,045 (5th) || 19,103 || 3,627{{efn|group=att|The Sparks played two 2024 home games at Walter Pyramid at Long Beach State.}} || 1 || 220,897 || 9,807 |} {{notelist|group=att}} === Draft picks === *'''1997 Elite Draft''': [[Daedra Charles]] (8), [[Zheng Haixia|Haixia Zheng]] (16) *'''[[1997 WNBA draft|1997]]''': [[Jamila Wideman]] (3), [[Tamecka Dixon]] (14), [[Katrina Colleton]] (19), Travesa Gant (30) *'''[[1998 WNBA draft|1998]]''': [[Allison Feaster]] (5), [[Octavia Blue]] (15), [[Rehema Stephens]] (25), Erica Kienast (35) *'''[[1999 WNBA draft|1999]]''': [[DeLisha Milton-Jones|Delisha Milton]] (4), Clarisse Machanguana (16), [[Ukari Figgs]] (28), [[La'Keshia Frett]] (40) *'''[[2000 WNBA draft|2000]]''': [[Nicole Kubik]] (15), [[Paige Sauer]] (31), [[Marte Alexander]] (47), [[Nicky McCrimmon]] (63) *'''[[2001 WNBA draft|2001]]''': [[Camille Cooper]] (16), [[Nicole Levandusky]] (32), Kelley Siemon (48), Beth Record (64) *'''[[2002 WNBA draft|2002]]''': [[Rosalind Ross]] (16), [[Gergana Slavcheva|Gergana Slavtcheva]] (30), Jackie Higgins (32), Rashana Barnes (48), Tiffany Thompson (64) *'''2003 [[Miami Sol|Miami]]/[[Portland Fire|Portland]] Dispersal Draft''': [[Jackie Stiles]] (14) *'''[[2003 WNBA draft|2003]]''': Schuye LaRue (27), Mary Jo Noon (42) *'''2004 [[Cleveland Rockers|Cleveland]] Dispersal Draft''': [[Isabelle Fijalkowski]] (12) *'''[[2004 WNBA draft|2004]]''': [[Christi Thomas]] (12), [[Doneeka Lewis|Doneeka Hodges]] (25) *'''[[2005 WNBA draft|2005]]''': DeeDee Wheeler (26), Heather Schreiber (39) *'''[[2006 WNBA draft|2006]]''': [[Lisa Willis]] (5), Willnett Crockett (22), Tiffany Porter-Talbert (36) *'''2008 [[Charlotte Sting|Charlotte]] Dispersal Draft''': [[Ayana Walker]] (12) *'''[[2007 WNBA draft|2007]]''': [[Sidney Spencer]] (25), Amanda Brown (38) *'''[[2008 WNBA draft|2008]]''': [[Candace Parker]] (1), [[Shannon Bobbitt]] (15), [[Sharnee Zoll-Norman|Sharnee Zoll]] (29) *'''2009 [[Houston Comets|Houston]] Dispersal Draft''': selection waived *'''[[2009 WNBA draft|2009]]''': Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton (13), [[Ashley Paris]] (22), Britney Jordan (35) *'''2010 [[Sacramento Monarchs|Sacramento]] Dispersal Draft''': selection waived *'''[[2010 WNBA draft|2010]]''': Bianca Thomas (12), [[Angel Robinson (basketball, born 1989)|Angel Robinson]] (20), Rashidat Junaid (32) *'''[[2011 WNBA draft|2011]]''': [[Jantel Lavender]] (5), [[ElΔ«na Dikaioulaku|Elina Babkina]] (29, ''ineligible'') *'''[[2012 WNBA draft|2012]]''': [[Nneka Ogwumike]] (1), [[Farhiya Abdi]] (13), [[Khadijah Rushdan]] (15), [[Tyra White]] (16), [[April Sykes]] (28) *'''[[2013 WNBA draft|2013]]''': [[A'dia Mathies]] (10), [[Brittany Chambers]] (22) *'''[[2014 WNBA draft|2014]]''': [[Jennifer Hamson]] (23), Antonita Slaughter (35) *'''[[2015 WNBA draft|2015]]''': [[Crystal Bradford]] (7), [[Cierra Burdick]] (14), [[Andrea Hoover]] (31) *'''[[2016 WNBA draft|2016]]''': [[Jonquel Jones]] (6), [[Whitney Knight]] (15), [[Brianna Butler]] (23), Talia Walton (29) *'''[[2017 WNBA draft|2017]]''': [[Sydney Wiese|Sydney Weise]] (11), Saicha Grant-Allen (35) *'''[[2018 WNBA draft|2018]]''': [[Maria Vadeeva]] (11), Shakayla Thomas (23), Julia ReisingerovΓ‘ (35) *'''[[2019 WNBA draft|2019]]''': [[Kalani Brown]] (7), [[Marina Mabrey]] (19), [[Γngela Salvadores]] (31) *'''[[2020 WNBA draft|2020]]''': [[Beatrice Mompremier]] (20), [[Leonie Fiebich]] (22), Tynice Martin (34) *'''[[2021 WNBA draft|2021]]''': [[Jasmine Walker]] (7), [[Stephanie Watts]] (10), [[Arella Guirantes]] (22), [[Ivana Raca]] (28), Aina Ayuso (34) *'''[[2022 WNBA draft|2022]]''': [[Rae Burrell]] (9), [[Kianna Smith]] (16), [[Olivia Nelson-Ododa]] (19), [[Amy Atwell]] (27) *'''[[2023 WNBA draft|2023]]''': [[Zia Cooke]] (10), [[Shaneice Swain]] (14), [[Monika Czinano]] (26) *'''[[2024 WNBA draft|2024]]''': [[Cameron Brink]] (2), [[Rickea Jackson]] (4), [[McKenzie Forbes]] (28) *'''[[2025 WNBA draft|2025]]''': [[Sarah Ashlee Barker]] (9), [[Sania Feagin]] (21), Liatu King (28) === All-Stars === {{div col|colwidth=27em}} *'''1997''': No All-Star Game *'''1998''': No All-Star Game *'''1999''': Lisa Leslie *'''2000''': Lisa Leslie, Mwadi Mabika, Delisha Milton *'''2001''': Tamecka Dixon, Lisa Leslie *'''2002''': Tamecka Dixon, Lisa Leslie, Mwadi Mabika *'''2003''': Tamecka Dixon, Lisa Leslie, Nikki Teasley *'''2004''': Mwadi Mabika, Nikki Teasley *'''2005''': Chamique Holdsclaw, Lisa Leslie *'''2006''': Lisa Leslie *'''2007''': Taj McWilliams-Franklin *'''2008''': No All-Star Game *'''2009''': Lisa Leslie, Tina Thompson *'''2010''': Candace Parker *'''2011''': Candace Parker *'''2012''': No All-Star Game *'''2013''': Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker, Kristi Toliver *'''2014''': Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker *'''2015''': Jantel Lavender, Nneka Ogwumike *'''2016''': No All-Star Game *'''2017''': Chelsea Gray, Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker *'''2018''': Chelsea Gray, Candace Parker *'''2019''': Chelsea Gray, Nneka Ogwumike *'''2020''': No All-Star Game *'''2021''': None *'''2022''': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2023''': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2024''': Dearica Hamby {{div col end}} === Olympians === *'''2000''': Lisa Leslie, Delisha Milton *'''2004''': Lisa Leslie *'''2008''': Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Delisha Milton-Jones *'''2012''': Candace Parker, Jenna O'Hea (AUS) *'''2016''': Ana Dabovic (SER) *'''2020''': None *'''2024''': Dearica Hamby ([[United States women's national 3x3 team|USA 3x3]]), Kia Nurse (CAN), Stephanie Talbot (AUS), Li Yueru (CHN) === Honors and awards === {{div col|colwidth=27em}} *'''1997''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''1997''' ''Sportsmanship Award'': Haixia Zheng *'''1998''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''1999''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''1999''' ''All-Star Game MVP'': Lisa Leslie *'''2000''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2000''' ''Coach of the Year'': Michael Cooper *'''2001''' ''Most Valuable Player'': Lisa Leslie *'''2001''' ''Finals MVP'': Lisa Leslie *'''2001''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2001''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Tamecka Dixon *'''2001''' ''All-Star Game MVP'': Lisa Leslie *'''2001''' ''Peak Performer (FG%)'': Latasha Byears *'''2002''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2002''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Mwadi Mabika *'''2002''' ''Finals MVP'': Lisa Leslie *'''2002''' ''All-Star Game MVP'': Lisa Leslie *'''2003''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2003''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Nikki Teasley *'''2003''' ''All-Star Game MVP'': Nikki Teasley *'''2004''' ''Most Valuable Player'': Lisa Leslie *'''2004''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2004''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Nikki Teasley *'''2004''' ''Defensive Player of the Year'': Lisa Leslie *'''2004''' ''Peak Performer (Rebounds)'': Lisa Leslie *'''2005''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2005''' ''All-Defensive Second Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2006''' ''Most Valuable Player'': Lisa Leslie *'''2006''' ''All-Decade Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2006''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2006''' ''All-Defensive First Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2007''' ''All-Rookie Team'': Marta Fernandez *'''2007''' ''All-Rookie Team'': Sidney Spencer *'''2008''' ''Most Valuable Player'': Candace Parker *'''2008''' ''Rookie of the Year'': Candace Parker *'''2008''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2008''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Candace Parker *'''2008''' ''Defensive Player of the Year'': Lisa Leslie *'''2008''' ''All-Defensive First Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2008''' ''All-Rookie Team'': Candace Parker *'''2008''' ''Peak Performer (Rebounds)'': Candace Parker *'''2009''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2009''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Candace Parker *'''2009''' ''All-Defensive Second Team'': Lisa Leslie *'''2009''' ''All-Defensive Second Team'': Candace Parker *'''2009''' ''Peak Performer (Rebounds)'': Candace Parker *'''2010''' ''Peak Performer (Assists)'': Ticha Penicheiro *'''2012''' ''Rookie of the Year'': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2012''' ''Most Improved Player'': Kristi Toliver *'''2012''' ''Coach of the Year'': Carol Ross *'''2012''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Candace Parker *'''2012''' ''All-Defensive First Team'': Alana Beard *'''2012''' ''All-Defensive Second Team'': Candace Parker *'''2012''' ''All-Rookie Team'': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2013''' ''Most Valuable Player'': Candace Parker *'''2013''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Candace Parker *'''2014''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Candace Parker *'''2014''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2014''' ''All-Defensive Second Team'': Alana Beard *'''2015''' ''All-Rookie Team'': Ana DaboviΔ *'''2015''' ''All-Defensive First Team'': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2015''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Candace Parker *'''2016''' ''Finals MVP'': Candace Parker *'''2016''' ''Most Valuable Player'': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2016''' ''Sixth Woman of the Year'': Jantel Lavender *'''2016''' ''All-Defensive First Team'': Alana Beard *'''2016''' ''All-Defensive First Team'': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2017''' ''Defensive Player of the Year'': Alana Beard *'''2017''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Chelsea Gray, Nneka Ogwumike *'''2018''' ''Defensive Player of the Year'': Alana Beard *'''2018''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Candace Parker *'''2019''' ''Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award'': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2019''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Chelsea Gray *'''2019''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2019''' ''All-Defensive First Team'': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2020''' ''Defensive Player of the Year'': Candace Parker *'''2020''' ''Peak Performer (Rebounds)'': Candace Parker *'''2020''' ''All-Defensive Second Team'': Brittney Sykes *'''2020''' ''All-WNBA First Team'': Candace Parker *'''2021''' ''All-Defensive First Team'': Brittney Sykes *'''2022''' ''All-Defensive Second Team'': Brittney Sykes *'''2022''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2023''' ''All-Defensive First Team'': Jordin Canada *'''2023''' ''All-Defensive Second Team'': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2023''' ''All-WNBA Second Team'': Nneka Ogwumike *'''2024''' ''Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award'': Dearica Hamby {{div col end}} ==Notes== {{Notelist}} == References == {{Reflist}} ==External links== *{{Official website}} {{s-start}} {{s-sports}} {{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Houston Comets]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Women's National Basketball Association|WNBA Champions]] | years = [[2001 WNBA season|2001]] (First title)<br />[[2002 WNBA season|2002]] (Second title)<br />[[2016 WNBA season|2016]] (Third title)}} {{s-aft|after=[[Minnesota Lynx]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Western Conference (WNBA)|WNBA Western Conference Champions]] | years = [[2001 WNBA season|2001]] (First title)<br />[[2002 WNBA season|2002]] (Second title)<br />[[2003 WNBA season|2003]] (Third title)<br />[[2016 WNBA season|2016]] (Fourth title) }} {{s-aft|after=Conference Titles no longer awarded}} {{s-end}} {{Los Angeles Sparks|state=expanded}} {{Los Angeles Sparks 2001 WNBA champions}} {{Los Angeles Sparks 2002 WNBA champions}} {{Los Angeles Sparks 2016 WNBA Champions}} {{WNBA}} {{Greater Los Angeles Area Sports}} {{California sports}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Los Angeles Sparks| ]] [[Category:Women's National Basketball Association teams]] [[Category:Basketball teams established in 1997]] [[Category:Basketball teams in Los Angeles|Sparks]] [[Category:Basketball teams in California]] [[Category:1997 establishments in California]]
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