Los Angeles Sparks 2021 season: 12–20, scoring 72.8 points per game and allowing 77.1 (-4.3 average margin) across 32 games. Updated August 16, 2026.
Scouting report
The Sparks finished 12–20, 9th in the league standings, with a -5.2 net rating that ranked 9th of 12. Defense was the identity — 3rd in defensive rating (97.5 per 100) against a 12th-ranked offense (92.3). Their calling card was forcing turnovers (opponents give it away on 23% of possessions); the soft spot, offensive rebounding (7.7 a game, 11th). Scoring was spread around — Erica Wheeler led at 13.6 a game, but no one accounted for more than 19% of the points, though the on/off numbers point to Brittney Sykes as the one they can least afford to lose — +14.5 per 100 possessions better with her on the floor. The high points: a 4-game winning streak (Aug 15–Aug 22) and a 35-point rout of the Fever on Jun 3. The lows: a 6-game losing streak (Jun 27–Jul 11) and a 28-point loss at the Aces on May 21. They went 5–13 against teams at .500 or better. Bottom line: a middle-of-the-pack team held back by a lack of second chances — good enough to beat anyone on a given night, not consistent enough to be feared.
Season summary
Record 12–20.
72.8 points scored, 77.1 allowed per game.
Net rating -5.2 per 100 possessions (offense 92.3, defense 97.5, pace 78.4).
Nneka Ogwumike leads the team at 14.5 ppg.
Nneka Ogwumike leads the team at 6.5 rpg.
Erica Wheeler leads the team at 4.8 apg.
Recent results
L 57-66 @ MIN
L 57-75 vs CON
W 81-53 vs SEA
W 74-68 @ ATL
L 84-87 @ DAL
Sparks roster
Erica Wheeler #17, G — 13.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.8 apg in 32 games
Brittney Sykes #15, G — 9.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.2 apg in 32 games
Te'a Cooper #2, G — 9.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.4 apg in 31 games
Amanda Zahui B #1, C — 9.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1 apg in 30 games
Nia Coffey #12, F — 8.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 0.9 apg in 32 games
Nneka Ogwumike #30, F — 14.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.7 apg in 18 games
Kristi Toliver #20, G — 9.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 2.9 apg in 19 games
Bria Holmes — 4.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.2 apg in 17 games
Shot-zone charts shaded against the WNBA average, four factors versus opponents, most-used lineups by net rating, on/off player impact, and where the Sparks rank league-wide.