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The Los Angeles Sparks finished with a 21-23 record in 2025, just narrowly missing out on clinching a WNBA postseason berth.
Read more: Former Sparks Guard Signed By Fever Amid Caitlin Clark’s Absence  Â
Led by a mix of veterans and newcomers in Dearica Hamby, first-year coach Lynne Roberts and Kelsey Plum — who landed in L.A. in January via a blockbuster three-team trade — the purple and gold showed drastic improvement this year, just a season after ending 8-32 in 2024.
Candace Parker’s No. 3 jersey officially in the LA rafters. pic.twitter.com/FLwpJs76Zn
— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) June 29, 2025
The Las Vegas Aces completed a 4-0, WNBA Finals series sweep on Oct. 10 over the Phoenix Mercury to win their third championship in four years.
The Aces led this year’s season series over the Sparks, 3-1. L.A.’s sole win against Las Vegas in 2025 came on June 11, in a dominant 97-89 road win.
Midway through this month’s WNBA Finals, Sparks’ legend Candace Parker reflected on now watching playoff games as a fan.
A champion’s perspective 👑
Candace Parker refelcts on watching the WNBA Finals as a fan with familiar faces on both sides chasing another ring.
Tune in to Game 3 tomorrow at 8pm/ET on ESPN.
WNBA Finals | @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/X2HMgFbJeX
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 7, 2025
Parker retired from professional basketball last year after spending 13 illustrious seasons with the purple and gold.
Read more: Sparks’ Rickea Jackson Talks Mindset Playing Through Injury, Calls Out OpponentsÂ
She averaged over 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists while helping L.A. to a title in 2016, the franchise’s third WNBA championship. Parker had her No. 3 jersey retired in Crypto.com Arena’s rafters on June 29, during halftime of a Sparks contest against the Chicago Sky.
“It’s insane … just in terms of being here and being able to witness how great these players are and how amazing it is to be in the [WNBA] Finals when I’m just a fan,” Parker said. “I’m taking it all in stride — it’s a win-win [for] whoever wins.
“Every game I end with a smile because somebody that I love is moving on,” she added.
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