Sparks vs. Mercury Preview: Can the Sparks Maintain Their Upset Streak?

On July 8, the WNBA regular season continues as the Sparks host the Mercury.

The Mercury avoided a third consecutive loss with their previous win over the Wings, currently holding a 10-10 record, ranking sixth in the league. They average 83 points per game, fourth-best in the league, but concede 85.2 points, making them the fourth-worst defensive team. Their offensive efficiency is middling, with an average shooting percentage under 45%, which they need to improve.

Compared to last season, the Mercury have shown significant improvement, largely due to roster adjustments during the offseason. They acquired All-Star Cooper from the Sky, Crowder from the Mystics, and Alyssa Thomas from the Sun, while also adding Osborne and Sydney in the draft. Cooper, Crowder, and Thomas have all proven themselves in the league, and their performances this season have been solid. However, the Mercury also lost Gustafson, Jefferson, and Turner, among others. The team retained All-Star center Griner, veteran Taurasi, and Cambage, and after some team-building, they’ve displayed a positive spirit.

The Mercury can rely on scoring depth, with four players averaging double-digit points so far. Cooper contributes 22.4 points and 4.3 rebounds, Griner 20.4 points and 6.9 rebounds, Taurasi 16.6 points, and Crowder 11.5 points and 7.4 assists. In their last game, a 104-96 victory over the Wings, the trio of Cooper (34 points), Griner (24 points, 8 rebounds), and Taurasi (16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) combined for 74 points, while Crowder added a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists. Despite being outrebounded, the Mercury shot efficiently, particularly from beyond the arc, outscoring the Wings by 18 points.

Conversely, the Sparks have been struggling lately, suffering a nine-game losing streak before upsetting the Aces. With just one win in their last ten games, they currently sit at 5-15, third from the bottom in the standings. Scoring has been a challenge, averaging 79 points per game, third-lowest in the league, while conceding 85.7 points, the third-highest. Additionally, they struggle with turnovers and fouls, committing 15 turnovers per game (ranked high in the league) and 18.6 fouls (fourth-most). Their free-throw shooting is also subpar, at 75.1%, second-worst in the league.

Last season, the Sparks finished ninth in the regular season with a 17-23 record, missing the playoffs. In the offseason, they underwent significant roster changes, losing center Ogwumike and guard Canada, both key players. They drafted Camryn Brink (No. 2 overall) and Richa Jackson (No. 4 overall) and signed McDonald, Cook, Li Yueru, Nurse, Clarissa Clarendon, and Julie Allemand, among others, to bolster their squad.

Aside from Hamby and Jackson, no other Spark averages double-digit points, contributing to their low-scoring output. In their upset victory over the Aces, the Sparks controlled turnovers well, committing only three, and held a lead before forcing overtime. Hamby led with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists, while McDonald contributed 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Yueru had 5 points and 4 rebounds off the bench in her limited minutes. The win snapped their losing streak.

The Mercury have won both previous matchups against the Sparks this season. Heading into this contest, Osborne will be out for the Mercury due to injury, while Stevens, Brown, and Brink are expected to miss the game for the Sparks. Can the Sparks maintain their momentum from the Aces upset and defeat the higher-ranked Mercury at home? Fans eagerly await the outcome.

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