The Los Angeles Sparks will try to build on the momentum from snapping a six-game losing streak when they face the Chicago Sky on Wednesday night at Wintrust Arena. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET) and will air nationally on USA Network. Entering the matchup, both teams are looking to strengthen their playoff push, with Los Angeles sitting at 11-17 and Chicago at 11-19.
The Sparks are coming off an impressive 106-101 victory over the Portland Fire, a game that showcased one of their most balanced offensive performances of the season. Dearica Hamby recorded 23 points and 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the year, while Nneka Ogwumike poured in 22 points, including 20 after halftime, helping erase a six-point deficit. Erica Wheeler, Ariel Atkins, Rae Burrell and Jihyun Park each added 12 points as Los Angeles finished with six players scoring in double figures.
A Familiar Opponent
Wednesday marks the third meeting between the teams this season. Los Angeles claimed a 102-87 victory on July 10 before Chicago responded with a 96-82 win one week later at Wintrust Arena. In that most recent meeting, Ogwumike and Hamby each scored 18 points for the Sparks, while Chicago used a balanced attack to earn the victory.
Sparks Finding Their Offensive Rhythm
After struggling through a six-game skid, Los Angeles appears to be rediscovering its offensive identity.
The Sparks have scored 100 or more points in back-to-back games, including a franchise-record 35 assists against New York followed by 33 assists against Portland. During that stretch, six players reached double figures in both contests, highlighting improved ball movement and offensive balance.
Rae Burrell has continued her strong stretch, scoring in double figures in 14 of her last 16 games, while Hamby continues climbing the WNBA record books after surpassing 4,500 career points and moving into 19th on the league’s all-time rebounding list.
Chicago’s Key Weapons
The Sky continue to be led by a mix of veteran leadership and emerging young talent.
Courtney Vandersloot is averaging 10 assists over her last game while continuing to climb the WNBA’s all-time assists rankings. Kamilla Cardoso remains a dominant force in the paint after recording a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double against Phoenix and averaging 14.3 points and 8.6 rebounds on the season. Rookie Sydney Taylor has become one of the league’s biggest surprises, averaging 20.8 points over her last six games, although she enters Wednesday listed as questionable with a left groin injury.
Chicago will also be without veteran stars Skylar Diggins (right knee) and Azurá Stevens (personal).
Matchup to Watch
The battle in the frontcourt between Nneka Ogwumike and Kamilla Cardoso could determine the outcome.
Ogwumike continues to produce at an All-WNBA level while serving as the Sparks’ offensive anchor, while Cardoso has developed into one of the league’s premier young centers with her efficient scoring, rebounding and rim protection. Whichever frontcourt controls the paint and the glass will give its team a significant advantage.
Players to Watch
Los Angeles Sparks
- Dearica Hamby
- Nneka Ogwumike
- Rae Burrell
- Erica Wheeler
Chicago Sky
- Kamilla Cardoso
- Courtney Vandersloot
- Natasha Cloud
- Sydney Taylor (questionable)
What to Watch
Los Angeles enters Wednesday looking for its first consecutive victories since early July, while Chicago hopes to bounce back after falling 106-101 to the Phoenix Mercury despite rallying from an early deficit. With both teams battling near the playoff line, expect an intense, physical matchup between two clubs trying to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
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