Sparks Update: LA snaps losing streak

It’s been a rocky road for the Sparks recently, but Dearica Hamby continues to give stellar performances and Los Angeles finally put a W in the win column.

It’s been a tough year for the 5-15 Los Angeles Sparks, but there has been some sunshine during this dark season.

Dearica Hamby has continued to be the team’s best player, and the Sparks managed an improbable win on Friday night, defeating the Las Vegas Aces 98-93 in overtime to end their eight-game losing streak. Here is all the good that’s happened recently in Los Angeles:

---

Dearica Hamby, Olympian

While there’s nothing good about Cameron Brink being out for the year, it’s created an opportunity for Hamby. With Brink recovering and unable to play in the Olympics for Team USA in the 3×3 competition, her spot was open. Hamby will take over that position and represent the Americans in Paris.

Jay Demmings, the USA Basketball 3×3 national team director and member of the USA Basketball 3×3 women’s selection committee, made a statement regarding the change:

It is an honor to announce Dearica Hamby’s addition to the USA 3×3 Women’s National Team and we look forward to getting to work as a squad very soon. USA Basketball continues to keep Cameron Brink in our thoughts as she focuses on her recovery.

Hamby is playing her best ball for the Sparks, averaging 18.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Those are career highs in both statistical categories. This level of play has been appreciated in Southern California all year long and now, not only has USA Basketball taken notice, but so has the rest of the WNBA world, with Hamby making her third All-Star team.

Hamby has taken her game to another level and it’s refreshing to see that play rewarded and acknowledged appropriately. This is a moment worth celebrating for a team that hasn’t had much to cheer for lately.

The eight-game losing streak has ended

While these personal accolades are nice, the Sparks have been losing a lot. Entering Friday’s game against the Aces, they had lost eight-straight games, and facing the defending champs on a six-game winning streak isn’t a recipe for success.

However, LA beat the odds, besting the best in an overtime thriller. Hamby gave a top performance as usual, but McDonald stepped up with a career-high 23 points. McDonald was maniacal in attacking Kelsey Plum and didn’t mince words after the game, calling Plum a player who “picks and chooses” when to play defense.

Apparently, Plum chose not to play defense against the Sparks, as McDonald got whatever she wanted on the court. This was a big reason the Sparks beat the Aces for the second time this season.

What’s next for LA?

The path toward more wins than losses for the Sparks is bordering on impossible at this point, but they’ve taken some positive steps. Hamby, who signed an extension a contract extension through 2025, is playing well and McDonald helped LA win a hard-fought game against the best team the WNBA has to offer.

Maybe the Sparks can finish July strong and then after the Olympic break, who knows?Maybe they can still go on a bit of a run and sneak into that eighth and final playoff spot? I mean, they’re only two and a half games behind the Indiana Fever from that position. It’s funny what just one win can do. This team hadn’t had a victory in nearly a month and after one game I’m looking at playoff standings dreaming of a No. 1-vs.-No. 8 matchup.

Delusional optimism is good sometimes.