Lynx’s Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams Dismantle Kelsey Plum's Sparks
Fresh off seven first-quarter points on 3-for-4 shooting from Julie Allemand — the latter of which surpassed 100 career made field goals for the Sparks' guard — Los Angeles led top-ranked Minnesota, 26-22, after 10 minutes on Thursday.
Read more: Sparks Announce Major Kelsey Plum Injury News Before Crucial Matchup
But the Lynx (18-3) proceeded to outscore the Sparks (6-14) by double-digits in each of the three quarters to follow. 30 minutes later, Minnesota capped a convincing 91-82 victory over Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena.
Napheesa Collier warming up ahead of Sparks vs Lynx.
— LA Sports Report (@LA_SportsReport) July 10, 2025
The 2025 All-Star captain is averaging 23.9 points and 7.9 rebounds this season. pic.twitter.com/rxQRXKARfw
The dominant road comeback was fueled by stellar offensive outings across the entirety of Minnesota's rotation.
Star forward and 2025 WNBA All-Star Game captain Napheesa Collier poured in 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.
Read more: Sparks Provide Bold Promotion Ahead of 2025 WNBA All-Star Game
Kelsey Plum x Julie Allemand 🔥🎯
— LA Sports Report (@LA_SportsReport) July 10, 2025
LA leads Minnesota, 11-7, after five minutes. pic.twitter.com/lZagXugS3i
Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman added 16 and 18 points, respectively. Alanna Smith, the fourth Minnesota player in double figures, finished with 15 points and five rebounds.
Similarly, a quartet of Sparks scored double-digit points, but 22 Los Angeles turnovers made way for a multitude of Minnesota fast break scores.
Kelsey Plum led the home attack with a team-high 17 points and 12 assists.
Read more: Sparks' Owner Mark Walter Acquires Majority Ownership of Lakers From Buss Family
Breaking: Sparks claim guard Julie Vanloo off waivers. She’s active for tonight’s game and will wear No. 6.
— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) July 3, 2025
Golden State waived Vanloo on Monday. Now, after winning a FIBA EuroBasket title last weekend, she joins Belgium teammate Julie Allemand in LA. pic.twitter.com/VhajFQjw3s
Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby and Julie Vanloo added 14, 12 and 15 points, respectively, in the defeat.
The Sparks signed former Golden State Valkyries guard Julie Vanloo on June 3, per a release — just days after Vanloo and now-Sparks teammate Julie Allemand won their second consecutive FIBA EuroBasket crown.
Los Angeles continues its three-game homestand on Sunday, when it hosts the Connecticut Sun.
More Sparks news:
A'ja Wilson Speaks Out on Losing Kelsey Plum to Sparks
Sparks' Kelsey Plum Reacts to Georgia Amoore's ACL Injury
International Legend Reveals Reason For Rejoining LA
Sparks Waive Two Players Ahead of 2025 Season
Sparks’ Cameron Brink Revisits Feeling After Tearing ACL
For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Sparks, visit Los Angeles Sparks on SI.
Ben Geffner is an award-winning sports journalist and current student at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. A greater Los Angeles native now with countless years of extensive and dedicated experience — including beat reporting, writing, play-by-play broadcast, television anchoring, podcasting and video production — Ben remains eager to contribute as credentialed media covering the LA Sparks.
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