Sparks Seek First Win of 2026 Season as Fever Visit Crypto.com Arena
Los Angeles host Indiana in Wednesday night WNBA matchup following opening-round losses for both sides
The Los Angeles Sparks host the Indiana Fever at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday night for a WNBA contest, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT. Both teams enter the matchup seeking their first victory of the 2026 season following losses in their opening-round games. The Sparks aim to secure their first win against a Fever side featuring Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.
The Sparks roster includes Kelsey Plum, Nneka Ogwumike, Dearica Hamby, and Cameron Brink. Plum, in her second season with LA, averaged 19.5 points per game last season and recorded career highs in steals, assists, and rebounds. The team recently acquired Ogwumike, who was an All-Star and All-WNBA Second Team selection in 2025, finishing sixth in MVP voting.
Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley stated the team assembled with the capacity to win a championship, citing the presence of multiple former champions in the roster. “We assembled this team to put ourselves in a position that would commit to the process and has the capacity to go win a championship,” Pebley told reporters at Media Day, as reported by The IX Sports.
This contest marks a pivotal moment for the Sparks, who have missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons. Not since 2020 has LA been in the playoffs, and despite holding the third overall seed that year, they were eliminated by the Connecticut Sun. Plum is on a one-year deal with the Sparks, who are looking to end their recent playoff drought.
The Fever roster includes 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston alongside Caitlin Clark. Yahoo Sports analysts have released early predictions for the 2026 WNBA award landscape, including MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, as the new season commences.
