The Seattle Storm secured the final playoff spot in the WNBA by narrowly defeating the Golden State Valkyries, while the Los Angeles Sparks were eliminated after losing to the Phoenix Mercury. The playoff matchups are set, with the top seed going to the Minnesota Lynx, and the postseason beginning soon, featuring a mix of best-of-three, best-of-five, and best-of-seven series.
Paige Bueckers set a WNBA rookie scoring record with 44 points in a close game, showcasing an exceptional shooting performance and highlighting her potential despite her team's narrow loss. Her achievement marks the highest points scored by a rookie in league history and is a standout moment in her promising career.
The Los Angeles Sparks narrowly defeated the Indiana Fever 89-87 in Indianapolis, despite Caitlin Clark missing her fifth straight game due to injury. Azura Stevens led the Sparks with 21 points, and Indiana's Boston and Howard scored 23 and 21 points respectively. The game was closely contested, with the Fever missing their last five shots in the final minute, and the Sparks securing the win with a crucial free throw by Stevens in the final seconds.
Azura Stevens led the Los Angeles Sparks to a narrow 89-87 victory over the Indiana Fever, with key contributions from Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby, despite Indiana's strong performance from Boston and Howard. The game was closely contested throughout, with the Sparks securing the win in the final seconds after Indiana missed its last five shots.
Caitlin Clark's absence due to injury led Indiana Fever to rely on veteran guard Sydney Colson, who delivered an impressive full-court pass that garnered league recognition, as the Fever hosted the Sparks. Clark is expected to return soon, but the team needs strong support to contend for the championship.
The Indiana Fever, without Caitlin Clark, aim to maintain their winning streak against the Los Angeles Sparks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with the Sparks seeking an upset in a game marked by resilience and strategic play, and the final matchups scheduled for later in the season.
The Los Angeles Sparks signed Belgian guard Julie Vanloo, who has notable WNBA experience with the Washington Mystics and was part of the Belgian national team that won EuroBasket 2023. She will be active for the Sparks' game in Brooklyn and wears jersey No. 6.
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will miss the game against the Los Angeles Sparks due to a groin injury, after recently returning from a quad injury that kept her out for five games. Clark has been a key player for the Fever this season, averaging 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds.
Lynne Roberts, former Utah women's basketball coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA, marking a potential trend of college coaches moving to the professional league. This shift is partly due to changes in college sports, such as NIL opportunities and transfer rules, making the WNBA more appealing. Roberts is known for her player development skills and high-powered offenses, which will be crucial for the Sparks' young roster. Her hiring, along with Karl Smesko's move to the Atlanta Dream, highlights the evolving relationship between the NCAA and WNBA.
The Los Angeles Sparks have appointed Lynne Roberts as their new head coach, bringing her extensive 27-year collegiate coaching experience, including a successful tenure at the University of Utah. Roberts, recognized for her dynamic offensive strategies and leadership, aims to lead the Sparks to WNBA championships. Her teams at Utah were known for their efficient play style and strong performances, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance and a Pac-12 championship. Roberts will be officially introduced at a press conference on November 21.
Lynne Roberts, head coach of Utah women's basketball, has accepted the head coach position with the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, leaving her role at Utah where she led the team to significant success, including three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. Gavin Petersen, the current associate head coach, has been promoted to head coach of the Utes. Petersen, with 23 years of coaching experience, has been integral to the team's achievements and is expected to continue building on the program's success.
The Dallas Wings won the WNBA draft lottery, likely securing the top pick, which is expected to be UConn star Paige Bueckers. However, Bueckers reportedly preferred to join the Los Angeles Sparks, who received the second pick. Despite both teams lacking a head coach, the Sparks' large market and need for a guard appealed to Bueckers. The Sparks had a 44.2% chance to win the lottery but were edged out by the Wings, who had a 45.4% chance due to a pick swap with the Chicago Sky.
The Dallas Wings secured the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft lottery, likely targeting UConn's Paige Bueckers, despite her preference for the Los Angeles Sparks, who hold the No. 2 pick. Bueckers, a standout guard, is currently playing her redshirt senior season at UConn, averaging 21.3 points per game. The Wings' players are excited about the prospect of adding Bueckers, who has been a top player despite past injuries.
The Los Angeles Sparks were disappointed to receive the second overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, missing out on the chance to select UConn star Paige Bueckers, who is expected to be picked first by the Dallas Wings. Despite having the worst record last season and a 44.2% chance of securing the top pick, the Sparks fell short for the second consecutive year. The team remains optimistic about their No. 2 pick, as they continue to rebuild towards contention.
The Dallas Wings have secured the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, likely positioning them to select University of Connecticut star Paige Bueckers, a standout point guard. The Los Angeles Sparks will pick second, followed by the Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics. The draft is set for April 14, 2025, after the NCAA season. The Wings had a 45.4% chance at the top pick due to a swap with the Sky, while the Sparks had the highest odds at 44.2% based on their recent record. The Fever, with previous top picks, reached the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
