TORRANCE — The Sparks will have 30 seasons’ worth of reasons to show up and play well against the New York Liberty on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena. The nationally televised game will be a celebration of the league’s 30th anniversary and will be a rematch of the league’s first game between the Sparks and Liberty, played on June 21, 1997.
“We’re trying to continue to work on our principles defensively while preparing for another team and what they specifically do,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said.
Roberts has continually said that playing defense is a choice.
“There’s certainly accountability that can be had by us coaches, but at the end of the day, how good do we want to be, and that’s the choice from each individual, coaches to players,” Roberts said. “The choice to have some intensity and urgency on that end.”
The Sparks (7-8) are on a two-game losing streak. They are coming off a 99-83 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday. Kelsey Plum (leg) and Cameron Brink (ankle) missed the game with injuries.
“Probably over the course of my career, I’ve been one of the healthiest players in the league, and that’s not really going to change,” Plum said at the team’s practice facility Saturday in Torrance. I’m going to show up every day and do what I can to help my team win.”
Kelsey Plum injury update heading into Sunday’s Sparks game against the NY Liberty.
Plum said over the course of her WNBA career, she’s been one of the healthiest players in the league and that’s not really going to change.
Plum said she’s going to show up every day and do… pic.twitter.com/D3WVaEsacL
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 20, 2026
Sparks coach Lynne Roberts on Kelsey Plum and Kate Martin’s injury reports before Sunday’s home game against the New York Liberty.
Coach Roberts said both will be game-time decisions.
She also spoke at length about the team’s emphasis on defense and physically going forward. pic.twitter.com/T8DqLbUzg2
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 20, 2026
Plum and Kate Martin (knee) will be game-time decisions Sunday, according to Roberts.
“I don’t know if there’s ever a time when I don’t feel like I could play,” Martin said. “I feel pretty good, but taking it day-to-day. We obviously don’t want to rush back into things too crazy soon, but I feel really good right now. I feel good on the court. We’re going to make whatever decision is best for the team.”
Brink will be sidelined until at least next week, leaving a defensive void off the bench that may be partially filled by veteran forward Emma Cannon.
“I tell my teammates to stay aggressive,” said Cannon, a 37-year-old who is cherished in the locker room for her leadership.
“I get paid to be a player, not a coach,” Cannon added, who has played 15 seasons of professional basketball across the globe, including eight in the WNBA. “I eventually one day might be a coach, and I know that I have a gift that I’m able to create relationships with any and everybody, especially with my teammates. I do know their strengths, their weaknesses and what not, so when I do see it, I call it out.”
Roberts said she saw positives in the 6-foot-2 Cannon’s five points in four minutes against Minnesota and would like to give her more playing time in the post against New York.
“At the end of the day, we are all professional athletes and we all have to stay ready so we don’t have to get ready,” Cannon said. “When our number is called, we are all capable of doing the things that we know we can do, so we just have to go out there and do it.”
Sparks veteran forward Emma Cannon on her leadership role and holding her teammates accountable.
Cannon said one of the main things she’s always telling her teammates is to stay aggressive. pic.twitter.com/FQCLh4Zw3j
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 20, 2026
The Liberty (11-5) saw their eight-game win streak end with an 86-83 home loss to the Washington Mystics on Friday night before traveling across the country. Leonie Fiebich, a Sparks 2020 second-round draft pick who is in her third season with the Liberty, led with 19 points, including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. Perennial All-Stars Brenna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu round out the team’s starting lineup alongside Olympic silver medalist Marine Jonannes of France. All-Star forward Satou Sabally has been the team’s key reserve off the bench.
“Playing a complete game, both sides of the ball,” Plum said when asked about the keys to victory. “We have to make shots. They are a very high-powered offense, so we have to be able to defend, get out in transition and score.”
Atkins adjusting
Ariel Atkins, a WNBA champion and two-time All-Star in her ninth season in the league, is currently averaging a career-low 8.5 points per game on 32.5% shooting from the field and 23.2% from 3-point range. She was acquired via trade from Chicago for forward Rickea Jackson before the season.
“I think for me the biggest thing is right now, honestly, finding consistency within myself,” Atkins, 29, said. “I think it’s so easy to be like, ‘Oh, the lineup changed. Oh, you’re getting shots this quarter, not this quarter. Oh, you’re not getting shots where you want to get it. Oh, you’re not touching the ball.’ There’s so many things I could be saying, but in truth, that’s on me. I gotta find a way to be consistent with myself. And if I get an answer for you, I will give it to you, but I don’t have it yet. But there’s no question that I know I’ll find it. The tables always turn, I always come back around. I am who I am for a reason. Am I stressed about it? A little bit, but not enough for people to freak out. People can freak but I don’t really care.”
The 5-foot-10 veteran guard, who made five consecutive WNBA All-Defensive teams, knows she has to protect herself after missing two games with a concussion in late May and now wears a mask to protect her broken nose.
“I can’t get hit in my nose again right now,” Atkins continued, “and even if I do, there has to be some level of protection. It’s going to get better and hopefully, eventually, it’ll be able to come off.”
Kiana Williams arrives
Guard Kiana Williams, formerly a developmental contract player with the Phoenix Mercury, participated in her first practice after being signed by the Sparks on Friday. Forward Sania Feagin was waived to make room for Williams.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Williams said, “but at the end of the day, I just know it’s the nature of the business. That’s just really been my journey to stay ready.”
Williams was brought in to serve as the team’s backup point guard behind Erica Wheeler, according to Roberts.
“It’s amazing,” Williams continued. “It’s a blessing and something I’m not taking for granted.”
The 27-year-old, who has sporadically played in the league across five seasons, scored three points and had one assist in 11 minutes against the Sparks on May 21. The Sparks won that game 97-88 on the road for their second win of the season.
Williams won a national championship at Stanford in 2021 alongside Brink, the Sparks’ No. 2 selection in the 2024 draft.
NEW YORK (11-5) AT SPARKS (7-8)
When: 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV: ESPN, Disney+
Kiana Williams said her WNBA career, which dates back to being a second round pick in 2021, has always been about staying ready.
Williams said she is grateful for her role as the Sparks’ new backup point guard. pic.twitter.com/oyV57gR2kE
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 20, 2026
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Los Angeles Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts on waiving second-year forward Sania Feagin to sign point guard Kiana Williams, a former developmental player with the Phoenix Mercury.
Coach Roberts also shared detailed injury updates on Kelsey Plum, Cameron Brink… pic.twitter.com/qHAThCccLY
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 19, 2026