Aliyah Boston Remains Elite Forward-Center in WNBA Despite Struggles Aliyah Boston continues to stand out as one of the premier forward-centers in the WNBA, maintaining her status as a top-tier player for the Indiana Fever. Entering the 2026 season, Boston has averaged 16.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, showcasing her versatility and impact on both ends of the court. Despite her overall success, the three-time All-Star has faced challenges during individual games, highlighting the pressures of competing at the highest level. One notable instance occurred during the Fever’s second game of the season against the Los Angeles Sparks. In that matchup, Boston struggled offensively, scoring just four points—earned entirely from free throws—and shooting 0-of-3 from the field. The difficulties were compounded when she fouled out after playing only 22 minutes, a stark contrast to her usual dominance. Such moments have prompted Boston to reflect on her performance and the emotional toll of setbacks. Despite her high standards, Boston acknowledges that managing her reactions during off nights remains a work in progress. She has openly discussed her tendency to be self-critical, often delivering harsh internal messages when her performance falls short of expectations. “I’m definitely getting better, but I usually start there. Like I usually start at, ‘You suck,’” she admitted when asked about her approach to handling poor games. This candidness reveals her commitment to growth, even as she grapples with the frustration of inconsistency. Boston’s frustration often stems from specific moments during games when she feels her efforts are wasted. She described the frustration of missing what she considers “easy” shots, particularly in the paint.#2026_season #los_angeles_sparks #wnba #indiana_fever #aliyah_boston
Indiana Fever's Lexie Hull Shares Injury Update Ahead of Sparks Game The Indiana Fever, fresh off a 107-104 loss to the Dallas Wings, prepare to face the Los Angeles Sparks in their second game of the season. The team’s starters are currently under minute restrictions, but head coach Stephanie White remains optimistic about their ability to rebound from the defeat. The focus has shifted to addressing key player injuries and ensuring the roster is fully prepared for the upcoming matchup. Guard Lexie Hull, a critical contributor for the Fever, provided an update on her hamstring injury ahead of the game. Hull missed all preseason games due to hamstring tightness but was cleared to play against Dallas, though she was limited to 15 minutes. She reiterated her readiness to return to full action, stating, “We still might be on a bit of a minute restriction, but I feel good to be out there. It’s great to be back with the girls and get to play live, for sure.” Despite the restrictions, Hull emphasized her physical recovery, noting her body has nearly returned to full health. Last season, she played 44 games, averaging 7.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. Her performance earned her a two-year, $1.56 million extension during the offseason. Forward Monique Billings, another player on minute restrictions, shared her own injury update. Billings, who signed a two-year, $1.6 million deal with the Fever after a season with the Golden State Valkyries, started all preseason games but tweaked her ankle in the third game. She expressed excitement about the upcoming game against the Sparks, calling it a “homecoming” since she grew up in Los Angeles. “I’m so excited. We’re at UCLA, grew up here, so it’s really cool coming back.#los_angeles_sparks #indiana_fever #lexie_hull #stephanie_white #monique_billings
WNBA Celebrates 30th Season With Retro Throwback Jerseys and Court Origins Program The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is commemorating its 30th season with a nostalgic tribute to its inaugural year, 1997, through its Court Origins initiative. The program, announced on April 24, features retro-inspired basketballs and jerseys for the league’s three surviving founding franchises—the Los Angeles Sparks, the New York Liberty, and the Phoenix Mercury—as well as special courts and game schedules designed to honor the league’s legacy. The Court Origins Wilson EVO NXT basketball, which is identical to the model currently used by the WNBA, has been retrofitted with vintage aesthetics. The ball retains its alternating panel design but features lighter panels in vintage white or cream tones. Two panels bear retro league logos, while the third panel displays the WNBA’s 30th season logo alongside a modern player silhouette. This design bridges the gap between past and present, reflecting the league’s evolution over three decades. Each of the three original franchises will don custom jerseys that replicate their 1997 looks. The Sparks’ jersey is predominantly yellow with purple side panels extending to the shoulders and white panels over the shoulders. A retro wordmark for the team, featuring a teal-accented palm tree, runs across the chest, paired with an offset purple number. The Liberty’s jersey is mostly black, with seafoam green side panels outlined in orange and silver over the shoulders. The team’s original wordmark, which replaces the “I” in “LIBERTY” with a torch, is arched across the chest. The Mercury’s jersey is red with purple side panels and yellow over the shoulders, featuring a slanted wordmark and a white number outlined in purple.#los_angeles_sparks #las_vegas_aces #wnba #phoenix_mercury #new_york_liberty
Future Hall of Famer Calls South Carolina Women's Basketball Product "Biggest Steal" of WNBA Draft Ta’Niya Latson, a standout player for the South Carolina women’s basketball team, was selected in the second round of the WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 20 overall pick. While the selection was lower than many had anticipated, the move has sparked optimism among fans and analysts, particularly following praise from a future Hall of Famer who joined the Sparks’ organization. Nneka Ogwumike, a 10-time All-Star and former member of the Sparks, highlighted Latson’s potential during a press conference, calling her “the biggest steal” of the draft. Ogwumike emphasized Latson’s competitive drive, maturity, and ability to elevate her game, noting that these traits align with the qualities of a future star. Latson’s selection came as a surprise to many, including herself. During her introductory press conference with the Sparks, she admitted to being “shocked” by the late pick. However, she quickly shifted her focus to the opportunity to join the team. “It’s about fit, I feel like. Fit over pick,” she said, expressing her commitment to the Sparks despite the unexpected outcome. Her determination to prove herself mirrors the expectations she faced during her college career. The 2024 season marked a significant turning point for Latson. After transferring from the Florida State Seminoles, she joined South Carolina under the guidance of head coach Dawn Staley. The move allowed her to refine her all-around game, particularly as a defender, while also improving her offensive efficiency. At South Carolina, Latson averaged 14.1 points per game, shooting 48.6% from the field, 32.5% from three-point range, and 80.3% from the free-throw line.#dawn_staley #los_angeles_sparks #nneka_ogwumike #south_carolina_womens_basketball #ta_niya_latson
Ta’Niya Latson’s Vintage Hollywood-Inspired WNBA Draft Outfit Honors Black Glamour Icons South Carolina Gamecocks alum Ta’Niya Latson made a bold statement during the WNBA draft by embracing a vintage Hollywood-inspired ensemble that celebrated the legacy of Black glamour icons. The look, which she described as a deliberate departure from modern trends, drew comparisons to legendary figures like Josephine Baker, whose iconic hairstyle became a standout feature of Latson’s outfit. Fellow Gamecocks star Raven Johnson also adopted a similar aesthetic, highlighting the collective effort to honor Black cultural influence in the sports arena. Latson walked the WNBA draft’s orange carpet in a black-sequined NBD Janhvi Maxi Dress from Revolve, styled with black nylon gloves and patent leather pumps from Christian Louboutin. The sculpted curl of hair on her forehead, a direct nod to Josephine Baker’s signature style, was a focal point of her look. Accessories such as diamond earrings, a tennis necklace, and gold rings by Bondeye Jewelry, along with a clutch from Olga Berg, completed the ensemble. The outfit’s vintage elements, including the hair curl and accessories, were carefully chosen to reflect her admiration for Black icons. Latson explained her motivation for the look, stating, “I wanted to step out of the box and just give a classic look. I feel like people haven’t really given that in the draft in recent past years. So, I just wanted to be a little different and step outside of my comfort zone.” She emphasized her desire to celebrate Black glamour while making a personal statement at the event. Latson’s choice to embrace a classic Hollywood theme proved prophetic when she was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks with the 20th overall pick.#los_angeles_sparks #ta_niya_latson #raven_johnson #josephine_baker #nbd_janhvi_maxi_dress
Kelsey Plum Lands Core Qualifying Offer from Sparks Monday marked the first day WNBA teams could designate core tags and extend qualifying offers to free agents, setting the stage for significant roster moves ahead of the official free agency period, which begins Wednesday. The Los Angeles Sparks emerged as a key player in the early action by extending a core qualifying offer to Kelsey Plum, a pivotal move that underscores the team’s commitment to retaining its star guard. The offer, which grants the Sparks exclusive negotiating rights during free agency, starts at the new supermax salary of approximately $1.5 million under the updated Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). While core designations automatically last one year, the Sparks and Plum have the flexibility to negotiate a longer contract if both parties agree. The core designation is a critical component of the CBA, designed to protect key players from being poached by rival teams during free agency. By securing Plum’s exclusive rights, the Sparks aim to stabilize their roster and build on the progress made during her first season with the franchise. Plum’s inclusion as a core player also reflects her status as one of the league’s premier scorers and playmakers, with her performance last season solidifying her value to the team. In addition to Plum’s core offer, the Sparks extended reserved qualifying offers to three other free agents: Rae Burrell, Julie Vanloo, and Alissa Pili. These offers, which provide the team with exclusive negotiating rights, are set at the league minimum salary of approximately $270,000 under the new CBA. While these players are not yet locked into long-term contracts, the offers give the Sparks leverage to retain them if they meet the team’s expectations.#los_angeles_sparks #kelsey_plum #wnba #collective_bargaining_agreement #core_designation
Kelsey Plum Signs One-Year Deal to Return to Los Angeles Sparks Four-time WNBA All-Star and two-time champion Kelsey Plum has signed a one-year, $999,999 contract to return to the Los Angeles Sparks, according to sources who shared the details with ESPN’s Shams Charania on Sunday. The deal marks Plum’s return to the Sparks after a single season with the San Antonio Stars/Las Vegas Aces franchise, where she spent her entire career prior to this move. The decision to accept a discounted rate instead of the projected $1.4 million supermax was made to provide the Sparks with financial flexibility to construct a roster capable of competing for a championship. Plum, a 5-foot-8 guard, averaged 19.5 points and 5.7 assists during her first season with the Sparks in 2024. Her arrival in Los Angeles was significant, as she became the team’s clear-cut star and a key figure in the effort to revive the franchise. The Sparks, one of the WNBA’s original teams, have not advanced past the playoffs since 2020, marking the longest active playoff drought in the league. Plum’s return aims to help the organization reclaim its storied status and end this extended dry spell. Prior to joining the Sparks, Plum was a cornerstone of the Las Vegas Aces’ core that secured consecutive WNBA titles in 2022 and 2023. She was drafted No. 1 overall in 2017 by the Aces, who later rebranded as the Sparks in 2024. Her tenure with the Aces included holding the NCAA scoring record (3,527 points) before Caitlin Clark surpassed it in 2024. Plum’s contributions to the Aces’ success were pivotal, but her decision to pivot to the Sparks reflects her desire to challenge for titles in a new environment. Plum’s career is defined by accolades and versatility.#shams_charania #los_angeles_sparks #las_vegas_aces #kelsey_plum #san_antonio_stars
At least seven calls to police were made about Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. in the months leading up to his arrest on domestic violence charges. The incidents, which involved alleged stalking, harassment, and threats, culminated in his February arrest after he allegedly rammed Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson’s car with his Lamborghini SUV in Doral, Florida. According to records obtained by ESPN, police received at least seven 911 calls about Pearce between November and February. Jackson, who was named in some reports, claimed she was being stalked and harassed by Pearce, who allegedly tried to break into her home. On January 13, authorities told Pearce to stay away from the residence of a woman described as his ex-girlfriend. Between November and February, police were repeatedly called to a home described as Pearce’s on-again, off-again girlfriend’s residence. Two calls on January 28 mentioned a burglary in progress, with Pearce listed as the subject. Jackson told officers she saw him leaving before police arrived. Later that night, a woman called 911, stating she feared Pearce after her door was damaged, though he was not present when officers arrived. In November, a woman reported that Pearce knocked on her door repeatedly and called her landline multiple times, but she refused to open it. She said Pearce left 20 minutes before police arrived and claimed he owed her $70,000. Two domestic disturbance calls were heavily redacted, but a security guard told police on February 2 that Pearce had been stalking his client and was spotted at the client’s home multiple times in recent days.#atlanta_falcons #james_pearce_jr #doral_florida #rickea_jackson #los_angeles_sparks
