By Neon Gurl Sports | July 10, 2025
The Los Angeles Sparks may have taken a loss to the league-leading Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena, but the energy on the court and in the stands told a deeper story.
With a season-high crowd of 18,199 fans cheering them on, the Sparks came out blazing, building an early double-digit lead thanks to hot shooting from newcomers Julie Vanloo and Kelsey Plum. A 16-0 first-quarter run sparked hope in LA, but the veteran-heavy Lynx proved too consistent, eventually sealing a 91–82 win.
Napheesa Collier & Natisha Hiedeman
Kelsey Plum’s Double-Double Sparks the Offense
Kelsey Plum put on a clinic with 17 points and a season-high 12 assists, tying Ivory Latta for 15th all-time in career three-pointers made (536). It was her sixth career double-double, and first as a member of the Sparks.
After the game, Plum spoke candidly about her evolving role and the impact of her fellow guards:
“Julie Allemand and Julie Vanloo are pros, and they’re winners… They can create their own shot, they can create for others, and that takes a lot of pressure off of me.”
Vanloo’s Arrival Brings the Spark
Belgian guard Julie Vanloo came off the bench and delivered a season-high 15 points, including five threes—matching a career best. The veteran sharpshooter gave fans a glimpse of how dangerous this Sparks roster could become with her in the mix.
“I’m just ready to shoot and help the team where I can,” Vanloo said. “I can get hot really quick, so that’s what I’m known for—and I’m happy I could do that today.”
Head coach Lynne Roberts praised Vanloo’s addition:
“She plays with pace, she’s unbelievably good in pick and roll… and then she can flat-out shoot it.”
The Game Flow
The Sparks opened strong, riding a 16-0 run to a 21–10 lead in the first quarter, led by Plum and Julie Allemand’s backcourt energy. But the Lynx stormed back behind the steady play of Natisha Hiedeman (18 points) and Napheesa Collier (8 rebounds), finishing the half with a 50–41 advantage.
Despite the Sparks’ fourth-quarter surge—including a 17-0 run that cut the lead to 10—the Lynx held firm.
LA outscored Minnesota 23–11 in the final frame, finishing the game shooting 50% from the field and a red-hot 48.1% from three. The Sparks’ 13 threes tied their season high, and their bench poured in a season-best 26 points.
More Standouts
- Azurá Stevens grabbed 10 rebounds and chipped in key minutes on both ends
- Rickea Jackson tallied 14 points and stayed perfect from the line (4-for-4)
- Julie Allemand notched her 100th career field goal and finished with 7 points and 4 assists
What’s Next?
The Sparks continue their three-game homestand leading into the All-Star break. They face the Connecticut Sun on July 13 at 3 p.m. PT, followed by the Washington Mystics on July 15 at 7 p.m. PT.
If LA can build on the rhythm they showed tonight—with Plum distributing, Vanloo firing, and the team finding its chemistry—this could be a very different Sparks team in the second half of the season.
