Los Angeles Sparks On SI

Sparks Announce Massive Lineup Change Ahead of June Opener

Los Angeles, still dealing with injury troubles, makes a dramatic lineup change ahead of its June opener against Phoenix.
Ben Geffner|
May 25, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) is greeted by guard Julie Allemand (left) and center Mercedes Russell (21) during player introductions before the game against the Chicago Sky at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
May 25, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) is greeted by guard Julie Allemand (left) and center Mercedes Russell (21) during player introductions before the game against the Chicago Sky at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Sparks' guard Rae Burrell and forward Cameron Brink remain out on Sunday with right and left knee injuries, respectively. Furthermore, Rickea Jackson is out due to personal reasons.

Jackson returned to game action on May 27, her first appearance since entering concussion protocol on May 18 — following an injury suffered in the Sparks' home-opener against Minnesota.

Read more: Sparks' Kelsey Plum Climbs WNBA Record Books in Loss to Dream

The star forward was held scoreless with one rebound in 12 minutes against the Atlanta Dream last Tuesday.

Sparks' guard Julie Allemand will start in Sunday's matchup against the Phoenix Mercury, as announced per a team release prior to the June opener.

Read more: Sparks Debut Groundbreaking New Courtside Lounge in 2025

It marks Allemand's first career start for the purple and gold.

Allemand returns to the United States after being traded to Los Angeles from Chicago, along with Li Yueru and a 2025 third-round draft pick.

Prior to this season, her last WNBA appearance came in 2022 for the Sky — in which she averaged three points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in 25 contests.

After missing the Sparks' first two games of 2025 due to injury, Allemand has impressed in limited time through LA's last five contests.

Read more: Sparks' Cameron Brink Challenges Controversial WNBA Rule

Allemand logged four points, four rebounds and two steals in 18 minutes for the Sparks' in last Sunday's 91-78 win over the Chicago Sky, as well as another efficient six point, four rebound and four assist outing on 2-for-3 shooting against the Las Vegas Aces on Friday.

Read more: Sparks' Rickea Jackson Reveals Close Relationship With WNBA Player

“I’m really doing well,” Allemand said in a recent episode ofThe Next Hoop's Locked on Women's Basketball Podcast, on her adjustment to life in Los Angeles. “It’s not easy to start a new season and to be injured, you know, especially when it’s like new staff, new players.

"So I was happy to at least be there, and like to try to get to know my teammates and my step," she added.

Allemand joins Odyssey Sims, Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby and Azura Stevens in Los Angeles' starting five against the Mercury on Sunday.

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.

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Ben Geffner
BEN GEFFNER

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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