Sparks target .500 record as they host Toronto Tempo for Sunday rematch

The Los Angeles Sparks (1-2) are set to conclude their current home stand on Sunday afternoon with a rematch against the Toronto Tempo (1-2). The contest offers the Sparks an opportunity to even their season record at 2-2 before embarking on their next road trip. Following a hard-fought four-point victory in their previous meeting on Friday, the team is looking to consolidate their early-season performance against a Canadian opponent that has proven resilient.

In Friday’s matchup, the Sparks established a 10-0 start and held a 20-point advantage before the Tempo rallied to narrow the margin. Coach Lynne Roberts acknowledged the competitive nature of the opposing side, noting that Toronto is coached by Sandy Brondello, whom she described as one of the league’s all-time greats. Roberts highlighted that the Sparks conceded 57 points in the second half of the previous game, a statistic she attributed to a loss in focus and intensity that the team aims to rectify over the full 40 minutes.

A key tactical adjustment for Sunday involves the starting lineup, with guard Erica Wheeler set to start at point guard in place of Ariel Atkins, who remains out due to concussion protocol. Wheeler, who started in Friday’s game, indicated that she took personal responsibility for ensuring the team maintained proper ball movement. This emphasis on distribution was evident in the previous meeting, where the Sparks recorded 26 assists against Toronto, a figure that exceeded their total from the first two games of the season combined.

Kelsey Plum is expected to shift off the ball in Wheeler’s absence. Plum is currently tied with former teammate A’ja Wilson for the league lead in scoring at 26.3 points per game. Plum acknowledged the difficulty of the early-season schedule, which included a loss to the defending champions and a tough matchup against Indiana, but stressed the importance of taking care of business when required. She noted that the team has room to grow and intends to continue chipping away at their performance.

The Sparks must also manage specific threats from the Toronto roster, including Brittney Sykes, who scored 27 points in the previous game, Laura Juskaite, who contributed 16 points, and Marina Mabrey. UCLA rookie Kiki Rice provided 11 points off the bench in the last meeting, adding depth to the Tempo’s attack. Roberts emphasised that maintaining the ball movement that resulted in six players scoring in double figures on Friday is essential to shoring up their defence and avoiding the mental errors that occurred in the fourth quarter of the previous contest.