LOS ANGELES— The Sparks season is over. After a late push, Los Angeles finished just one game back of the eighth and final playoff spot in the WNBA. The once seminal franchise hasn’t made the playoffs in five years, but the mood in the Chick Hearn Press Room from players and coaches, overall, was very optimistic. After the final game– a 103-75 home loss to the Las Vegas Aces, Head Coach Lynne Roberts, General Manager Raegan Pebley, and nearly the entire roster gave their final thoughts about the 2025 Sparks season.

Raegan Pebley To Reveal Big Organizational News “Very Soon”

Pebley teased big news for the organization coming “very soon”. Reporters guessed it could be a new permanent practice facility. Pebley said that the news “deserves its own moment”. In 2023, the Aces became the first WNBA team with its own dedicated practice facility, with other franchises like the Storm and Valkyries following suit.

With the growth of the WNBA and other leagues, franchises around the nation are investing in women’s sports at an increasing rate. Pebley and the franchise could be the next line of WNBA teams putting their money where their mouths are when it comes to fostering the best environment for success.

Kelsey Plum’s Inspiring Words on Leap of Faith to Come to Los Angeles

Kelsey Plum always wanted to have her cake and eat it too. It’s a rare opportunity for pro athletes to be star players in front of friends and family. LeBron James, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker and many other all-time greats have had the privilege of being the face of a franchise in their hometowns. Kelsey Plum grew up quite a bit south from Crypto.com Arena. She’s a native of San Diego County. But her return to Southern California has been a fortunate homecoming nonetheless. Plum brought “Mamba Mentality” with her to Los Angeles on day one, an intense, fiery passion for the game and a leadership role as the latest sports star in Hollywood. She admitted that she’s “working” on mentally giving herself grace, dealing with the ups and downs of her first season in L.A. But she also displayed a cool, calm, and collected demeanor of a Southern California kid Thursday night–ready to be a part of the long process to bring the Sparks back to greatness.

I Love LA: Lynne Roberts Shows Love to the LAnd 

Head Coach Lynne Roberts learned a lot in her first WNBA season. After nine years at Utah, Roberts was hired just two months before the blockbuster trade that sent Kelsey Plum to Los Angeles. Roberts admitted she had to get used to the fast paced life of the W. She said that it was difficult adjusting to a season with fewer time for practices than the college game, and the patience it takes to implement a new offense. However, Roberts expressed her pride at the players for buying in and making a valiant effort to push for the playoffs in the second half of the season. Her positivity is aided by the prospect of coaching in Los Angeles, telling reporters that LA is the place she wanted to be. “One of the reasons I wanted this job was because it’s L.A.” she said. “If you build it, they’ll come. L.A. loves winning, and so do I.”  She called the fans “phenomenal” this year. “When we were struggling, they still came out,” she added. Overall, Roberts said it was a “good year”, for the Sparks, in spite of the rough first half of the year, injuries, and getting players to learn her system.

The Two Julies Form a Special Bond

Julie Vanloo and Julie Allemand were admittedly not super close as teammates together on the Belgian National Team. However, their bond became incredibly strong when Vanloo joined the Sparks halfway through the 2025 season. Both guards had their share of trials and tribulations.

When the pair helped Belgium win golf at FIBA Eurobasket in July, Allemand was welcomed back to Los Angeles with open arms. Vanloo, then a member of the Golden State Valkyries, was waived. The Sparks jumped on the opportunity to pick her up, giving the two Julies a chance to form a closer bond. Allemand started the 2025 season recovering from knee surgery, and continues to fight through the grueling scheduling of a year-round international player. Vanloo was shocked at Golden State’s decision to cut her, and lamented that “it wasn’t easy” mentally to recover. Forged from adversity, the two grew incredibly close this season, forming a deep friendship. Fighting back tears, Vanloo said she would “definitely” come back to the Sparks if given the chance, with a new close friend at her side.

Seasoned Vet Supports Players As Labor Rights Fight Looms in Offseason

Emma Cannon didn’t get much playing time this year, but her locker room presence has been invaluable to the Sparks. Roberts, Pebley, and first-year draft pick Sarah Ashlee Barker talked about Cannon’s immense support as a veteran leader in Los Angeles. The 36-year-old out of Florida Southern went undrafted in 2011 and began her career overseas. She became a 28-year-old rookie when the Mercury signed her in 2017 and bounced around the league until she was signed by the Sparks this year.

She provided mentorship for a number of role players throughout the season, including Liatu King, who briefly played for the franchise earlier in the year. With a unique perspective on the grind of women’s basketball, the 14-year professional spoke about the upcoming labor battle in the offseason. There have been reports that a lockout could come to the WNBA, as players fight for more equitable revenue sharing, better scheduling, and other grievances. Cannon supports the players, saying that the biggest way the WNBA could accommodate players is with “money”, but added that “We need to be heard. There’s a lot of things outside of money that we want and we need.” Cannon added that she hopes that the league comes to an agreement with the players soon.

Alissa Pili Is A Fan Favorite 

Alissa Pili was drafted with the 8th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx, but had a tough time cracking the rotation. The former All Pac-12 star at USC, then Utah, finally got a chance to play extended minutes in the Sparks final home game Thursday. Waived by the Lynx in July, Pili trained in her home state of Alaska before being signed by Los Angeles in early August. She flew down to LA in the midst of the Sparks winning streak. Pili, who spent three years at USC, scored seven points in six minutes in Thursday’s loss. Every bucket preceded a deafening cheer from the Los Angeles crowd. Pili said she “gets chills” when she hears the fans cheer for her. The 5’11”, 235 lbs center is a tough cover. If she gets a shot at playing time, she could develop into a consistent player, not just a fan favorite.