TORRANCE — The Sparks will need a spark when they have the opportunity to end the team’s season-long three-game losing streak against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Wednesday night.
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They hope to do that by focusing on consistency and cohesiveness. However, the depleted Sparks have lost their last three games by an average of 23.3 points, visibly impacted by playing without injured Kelsey Plum, the team’s leading scorer, and Cameron Brink, the team’s top inside presence.
The much-needed two-way production could come from two-time All-Star guard Ariel Atkins, a nine-year veteran who is averaging a career-low 8.1 points, cemented by shooting 34.5% from the field and 25.8% from 3-point range.
“We just have to figure it out,” said Atkins, who has spent the last few weeks playing with a protective mask while recovering from a broken nose. “We just have to take it day by day. I think for me right now personally, I could play harder for us and play a lot smarter.”
“I have to be more consistent for us and I have to pick it up.”
The nine-year veteran is holding herself accountable but still can’t pinpoint why she’s struggling.
“I know how to do it,” said Atkins, who was acquired in a preseason trade for forward Rickea Jackson. “I don’t know why I’m not playing the way I need to if I’m being honest.”
The Sparks (8-11) have dropped five of their past six games, including a disappointing 82-64 home defeat to the Seattle Storm on Monday.
“There’s an element of toughness and effort that isn’t consistent,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said Tuesday afternoon at the team’s practice facility. “(Monday night) we looked disconnected.”
Forwards Dearica Hamby (17 points) and Nneka Ogwumike (14 points, 11 rebounds) were the only Sparks to score in double figures against Seattle.
“The way to get through a hole is through it,” Sparks guard Erica Wheeler said. “You have to dig yourself out of it or get through it however we need to, but we have to get through this.”
Another spark could be forward Alissa Pili, who signed a developmental player contract with the Sparks on Sunday. The third-year player out of Utah is expected to make her season debut against the Fever and be a part of Roberts’ rotation while Brink is out with an ankle injury.
Pili, who played at USC before transferring to Utah, was selected eighth overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx but has yet to receive consistent playing time. The 5-foot-11 power forward, who has averaged 2.3 points in 5.8 minutes in 41 career games, believes she brings intangibles that can help the Sparks win.
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“Just energy,” Pili said. “I want to be a spark off the bench, just give us that kind of boost and just be me. Bring what I bring and do what I do well and stick to that. I think just being physical and having a physical presence like myself will be good for us.”
“She’s a really great shooter and a really good playmaker,” added Roberts, who coached Pili at Utah. “She’s really smart and we could use some of that.”
Pili is looking for an opportunity to be the player she knows she can be in the WNBA.
“You have to adapt and adjust to different systems,” Pili said, “and I’m just looking forward to playing now because I know Coach Lynne knows how to use me and put me in positions where I feel comfortable of I’m doing what I know how to do.”
Guard Rae Burrell, who has been starting while Plum is out with a leg injury, finished with five points on 2-of-11 shooting against Seattle.
“I have a lot of expectations for myself,” Burrell said. “I want to make sure I’m always showing up for the team, so when I feel like I’m not doing that and doing what I need to do for the team, I get frustrated.”
“I just don’t ever want to let my team down.”
The Fever (12-8) are on a two-game win streak without Clark, who is averaging 21.2 points and 8.2 assists but has been out with a back injury. The 2026 All-Star, who was voted in as a starter by fans, media and players, is hopeful she will play against the Sparks, according to reports from Tuesday’s practice media availability.
Fever center Aliyah Boston (17.1 points and 8.6 rebounds) and guard Kelsey Mitchell (21.9 points) were also named starters for the All-Star Game, which will be played July 25 in Chicago.
The Sparks are 0-2 against the Fever this season, including an 87-78 loss at home on May 13 and a 111-87 defeat on the road June 27.
FEVER (12-8) AT SPARKS (8-11)
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV: USA, CNBC, Spectrum SportsNet
Los Angeles Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts on her players being frustrated by losing to Seattle and using Tuesday’s practice to watch film and strategize how to be more consistent and competitive against the Fever while Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink are out with injuries. pic.twitter.com/YrrsZF2WbL
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— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 7, 2026