Since the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Sparks were a team to beat, but they lost their winning momentum and now find themselves on the verge of elimination from the postseason race. HC Lynne Roberts talked about the team’s mindset in the crucial phase of the season as their fate remains in the Seattle Storm’s hands.
The roster has clear idea about the goal and situation. After a crucial win over the Mystics, Azura Stevens dropped a truth bomb on the Sparks’ playoff qualification scenario. But proud HC has special message for the side.
Lynne Roberts Talks About Team Mentality
The 5-year-old coach took over the charge of the three-time champions during a difficult time. With no playoff qualification in the last four seasons, the side dropped to its worst record in 2024. The improved form of Azzure Stevens and Dearica Hamby, combined with Kelsey Plum and Rickea Jackson’s scoring spree, handed the Sparks a glimmer of hope for qualification in 2025.
Yet the work is not done. Losses against the Fever and now against the Atlanta Dream were big blows to the Sparks’ quest for the postseason. Yet the first time head coach is calm and composed applauding the team mentality in the difficult phase.
“You just have to continue reinforcing that message, and not talking about things we can’t control. Whether Indiana wins or loses or Seattle, we can’t control that. We just have to focus on what we’re doing and see how it all shakes out,” Roberts said in a pre-game interview.
The team improved on its last season’s record, and its strong performances throughout the season highlight massive upgrades for the management. Missing out on the playoffs again would be a huge disappointment for the side.
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Los Angeles Sparks coach Lynne Roberts talks about the psyche of the team with three games remaining and still a fighting chance to make the WNBA Playoffs#LASparks pic.twitter.com/eY3Q5IrKlz
— Mykell Mathieu (@MykellthePG) September 7, 2025
She mentioned that the locker room is together in the situation and understands the task at hand. As for the standings, the Indiana Fever won their game against the Washington Mystics on September 7. The win sealed their seventh spot in the league standings and an automatic qualification for the playoffs.
Qualification Scenario For Lynne Roberts’ Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks are in ninth place with a 20-22 record, while the Seattle Storm occupies eighth place with a 22-21 record. Following the Indiana Fever’s qualification to the postseason, the qualification race is now narrowed down to just one spot.
Looking at the WNBA playoff format, a win against the Valkyries will hand the Seattle Storm the eighth place and playoff qualification. The Sparks need to win both games and hope to see the Storm lose its final game against the expansion team on September 9. But there is one positive thing in the nail-biting race for the Sparks. They have a 3-1 head-to-head lead record against the Storm in the 025 season. This will allow them to advance to the postseason as the number eight seed.
The Sparks’ next fixtures include a game against the Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces. Looking at both teams’ form, the situation looks tough for Robert’s side.