WNBA Game Preview: Connecticut Sun (5-23) vs. Los Angeles Sparks (13-15)

Match Overview

The Connecticut Sun are enduring one of their toughest seasons in franchise history, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Sparks are fighting to stay in playoff contention in the West, having won five of their last seven games. This is the third meeting between the teams this season. The Sparks won both previous matchups:

July 13: Sparks 92–88

July 27: Sparks 101–86

Connecticut Sun – Team Form & Key Players

Record: 5–23 (2–13 Eastern Conference)

Last Game: Lost 82–66 vs Phoenix Mercury

Recent Form: 2–8 in last 10 games

Points Per Game: 74.5

Field Goal %: 40.2%

Opponent PPG: 88.2

Top Performers:

Tina Charles: 16.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 41.6% FG

Marina Mabrey: 14.4 PPG, 3.9 APG (Out – knee injury)

Leïla Lacan: 8.9 PPG, 2.4 APG, 47.5% FG

Bria Hartley: 9.5 PPG, 3.1 APG

Injury Report:

Marina Mabrey: Out (knee)

No other major injuries reported

Tactical Outlook: The Sun struggle on both ends, ranking near the bottom in scoring, rebounding, and defensive efficiency. Without Mabrey, their backcourt lacks playmaking and perimeter shooting. Tina Charles remains the focal point, but she’ll need help from young contributors like Lacan and Hartley.

Los Angeles Sparks – Team Form & Key Players

Record: 13–15 (6–6 Western Conference)

Last Game: 93–86 win vs Washington Mystics

Recent Form: 5–5 in last 10 games

Points Per Game: 86.0

Field Goal %: 45.9%

Opponent PPG: 86.7

Top Performers:

Kelsey Plum: 20.4 PPG, 6.2 APG

Dearica Hamby: 17.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 56.2% FG

Rickea Jackson: 14.3 PPG, 43.2% FG

Azura Stevens: 15.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG

Injury Report:

No injuries listed

Tactical Outlook: The Sparks are one of the WNBA’s best teams in paint scoring and field goal efficiency. Hamby and Stevens dominate the boards, while Plum orchestrates the offense with elite shot creation. Expect LA to push the tempo and exploit Connecticut’s weak perimeter defense.