The Los Angeles Sparks are charging toward the 2025 WNBA playoffs with a 12-15 record. They are fresh off a sizzling run of six wins in their last seven games, including a thrilling 108-106 double-overtime victory against the Seattle Storm. As they prepare to face the 16-12 Indiana Fever on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena, the Sparks have added a new spark to their roster with the signing of forward Alissa Pili on a 7-day contract.
This will help them fill the gap left after waving veteran center Mercedes Russell. The Sparks are hopeful to bring in depth and a familiar face to a team fighting to climb into the postseason. Additionally, while most of the LA fans might not have noticed, Pili’s arrival at the camp would be a heartfelt reunion with her former college coach.
Alissa Pili Reunites With Her Utah Coach At Sparks
The 10th-seeded Sparks will be looking for a center-court push after Pili joined the camp. However, it would be a homecoming for the 2024 No. 8 overall draft pick. She will reunite with Lynne Roberts, who coached her at Utah for two standout seasons.
Reunited. 💜💛@SparksCoachRob x @MarchMadnessWBB pic.twitter.com/dNV6UTweYF
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) August 3, 2025
The Alaska-born will join a Sparks squad loaded with talent like Cameron Brink, Dearica Hamby, and Azura Stevens. But her connection with Roberts could give her an edge as she vies for minutes. With the Fever game looming, this signing feels like a timely boost for a team looking to keep its hot streak alive.
Earlier during her Utah days, Pili transformed from a 7.8-point scorer at USC to a 20.7-point, 40%-plus 3-point shooting force. She also led the Utes to a Sweet 16 run. Now, Roberts, in her first WNBA season after a successful nine-year stint at Utah, sees Pili’s potential to shine again.
Sparks Looking For Playoff Spot With Alissa Pili Signing
While we are months away from the dates, there is a league-wide discussion for the playoff spots. And despite and underwhelming performance given their roster depth, the Sparks are still a contender.
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For the team, the 6-foot-2 forward’s versatility could be a game-changer for the Sparks, who are desperate for a spot. Pili’s best WNBA game came against L.A. a couple of months back in June. She dropped eight points on 4-of-5 shooting for the Lynx, showing she can compete with the Sparks’ heavy hitters. It came just about a month prior to the Lynx waiving her.
Alissa Pili has been waived by the Lynx.
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) July 12, 2025
With Brink back in the lineup along with Hamby and Stevens, L.A. has a formidable frontcourt. Pili, who averaged just 2.2 points and 1.2 rebounds in 36 games with the Lynx, might seem like a long shot for big minutes.
If she can tap into her Utah magic with L.A.’s young core, she might just help push the Sparks closer to the playoffs.
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