2022 Los Angeles Sparks season
WNBA team season
The 2022 WNBA season was the 26th season for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association . The season tipped off on May 6, 2022, versus the Chicago Sky .[ 1]
The Sparks started the season well with road wins over Chicago and Indiana , but could not hold onto that momentum as they lost the next five games in a row. They broke the streak by winning three of their next four games to finish May 5–6. They would open June with a loss and on June 7, 2022, the Sparks and head coach Derek Fisher parted ways after starting the season 5–7, and Fred Williams was named the interim head coach.[ 2] Williams' tenure started with back to back losses, but the Sparks won two of their last four games in June to finish the month 2–5. The team won its first three games in July before losing their next three. Two wins were followed by three losses to finish July 5–6. The team began August in the playoff hunt, but three straight losses extended their losing streak to six total and dashed their playoff hopes. A win at Washington would be the Sparks' only win in August as they finished the season with three straight home losses. They finished the month 1–6 and the season 13–23.
Transactions
WNBA draft
Trades and Roster Changes
Date
Transaction
December 31, 2021
Renounced the rights to Marianna Tolo and Aina Ayuso [ 3]
January 1, 2022
Extended Qualifying Offers to Te'a Cooper and Lauren Cox [ 4]
January 4, 2022
Signed Lauren Cox to a Qualifying Offer[ 5]
January 20, 2022
Signed Te'a Cooper to a Qualifying Offer[ 6]
February 3, 2022
Traded Gabby Williams to Seattle in exchange for Katie Lou Samuelson and the 9th pick in the 2022 WNBA draft .[ 7]
February 5, 2022
Traded Erica Wheeler , a 2023 First-Round Pick, and 2022 Second-Round Pick to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for Chennedy Carter and the rights to Li Yueru [ 8]
February 8, 2022
Signed Jordin Canada to a One-Year Deal[ 9]
February 18, 2022
Signed Liz Cambage [ 10]
March 30, 2022
Trade the rights to Li Yueru to the Chicago Sky in exchange for Lexie Brown [ 11]
April 15, 2022
Signed Chantel Horvat and Lexi Gordan to training-camp contracts[ 12]
April 16, 2022
Signed Rae Burrell, Kianna Smith , and Amy Atwell to rookie-scale contracts
April 17, 2022
Signed Olivia Nelson-Ododa to a rookie-scale contract
April 29, 2022
Waived Lauren Cox , Chantel Horvat, and Lexi Gordan[ 13]
May 4, 2022
Waived Te'a Cooper , Arella Guirantes , and Kianna Smith [ 14]
May 5, 2022
Temporarily Suspend Kristi Toliver and Katie Lou Samuelson due to NBA and Overseas Commitments
Full Season suspension of the contract of Amanda Zahui B
May 11, 2022
Exercised the 4th Year Team Option on Chennedy Carter
May 16, 2022
Signed Katie Lou Samuelson to a One Year Extension[ 15]
May 17, 2022
Activated Katie Lou Samuelson from her Temporary Suspension[ 16]
June 7, 2022
Fired Head coach/GM Derek Fisher and named Fred Williams as Interim Head coach[ 17]
Waived Amy Atwell [ 18]
June 9, 2022
Activated Kristi Toliver from her Temporary Suspension
July 4, 2022
Signed Kianna Smith to a 7-Day Hardship Contract[ 19]
July 26, 2022
Waived Liz Cambage [ 20]
Signed Kianna Smith to a 2nd 7-day contract[ 21]
August 2, 2022
Signed Kianna Smith [ 22]
Roster
2022 Los Angeles Sparks roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
#
Nat.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
Yrs
G
4
Brown, Lexie
5' 9" (1.75m)
162 lb (73kg)
10-24-1994
Duke
4
G/F
12
Burrell, Rae
6' 2" (1.88m)
168 lb (76kg)
06-21-2000
Tennessee
R
G
21
Canada, Jordin
5' 6" (1.68m)
135 lb (61kg)
1995-08-11
UCLA
4
G
7
Carter, Chennedy
5' 9" (1.75m)
143 lb (65kg)
1998-11-14
Texas A&M
2
C
10
Nelson-Ododa, Olivia
6' 5" (1.96m)
173 lb (78kg)
08-17-2000
Connecticut
R
F
30
Ogwumike, Nneka
6' 2" (1.88m)
174 lb (79kg)
1990-07-02
Stanford
10
F/C
13
Ogwumike, Chiney
6' 3" (1.91m)
183 lb (83kg)
1992-03-21
Stanford
5
F
33
Samuelson, Katie Lou
6' 3" (1.91m)
163 lb (74kg)
1997-06-13
Connecticut
3
G
5
Smith, Kianna
6' 0" (1.83m)
162 lb (73kg)
06-10-1994
Louisville
R
G
15
Sykes, Brittney
5' 9" (1.75m)
154 lb (70kg)
1994-02-07
Syracuse
5
G
20
Toliver, Kristi
5' 7" (1.7m)
130 lb (59kg)
1987-01-27
Maryland
12
F
40
Walker, Jasmine
6' 3" (1.91m)
182 lb (83kg)
1998-02-03
Alabama
1
Head coach
Fred Williams (Boise State )
Assistant coaches
Latricia Trammell (East Central University ) Seimone Augustus (LSU )
Athletic trainer
Courtney Watson (California )
Strength and conditioning coach
Kelly Dormandy (Springfield College )
Legend
(C) Team captain
(FA) Free agent
(IN) Inactive
(S) Suspended
Injured
Depth
Schedule
Preseason
Regular season
2022 game log Total: 13–23 (Home: 7–11; Road: 6–12)
May: 5–6 (Home: 2–1; Road: 3–5)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
1
May 6
@ Chicago
W 98–91 (OT)
Jordin Canada (21)
Nneka Ogwumike (7)
Jordin Canada (8)
Wintrust Arena 8,111
1–0
2
May 8
@ Indiana
W 88–78
Liz Cambage (22)
Liz Cambage (11)
Jordin Canada (6)
Gainbridge Fieldhouse 1,456
2–0
3
May 11
@ Atlanta
L 75–77
Jordin Canada (19)
Nneka Ogwumike (15)
Nneka Ogwumike (4)
Gateway Center Arena 3,138
2–1
4
May 14
@ Connecticut
L 60–77
Canada N. Ogwumike (12)
Cambage Walker (4)
Brittney Sykes (4)
Mohegan Sun Arena 5,624
2–2
5
May 17
Minnesota
L 84–87
Nneka Ogwumike (22)
Nneka Ogwumike (8)
Jordin Canada (6)
Crypto.com Arena 4,701
2–3
6
May 20
@ Seattle
L 80–83
Liz Cambage (25)
Liz Cambage (8)
Lexie Brown (5)
Climate Pledge Arena 10,103
2–4
7
May 23
@ Las Vegas
L 76–104
Chennedy Carter (17)
Nneka Ogwumike (6)
Jordin Canada (9)
Michelob Ultra Arena 4,092
2–5
8
May 25
Phoenix
W 99–94
Nneka Ogwumike (23)
Liz Cambage (7)
Jordin Canada (6)
Crypto.com Arena 4,020
3–5
9
May 27
@ Indiana
L 96–101
Nneka Ogwumike (30)
Nneka Ogwumike (10)
Canada Carter Sykes (5)
Indiana Farmers Coliseum 1,417
3–6
10
May 29
@ Minnesota
W 85–83
Chennedy Carter (20)
Chennedy Carter (6)
Carter Sykes (4)
Target Center 7,234
4–6
11
May 31
Dallas
W 93–91
Brittney Sykes (25)
Nneka Ogwumike (10)
Cambage Sykes (4)
Crypto.com Arena 4,852
5–6
June
: 2–5 (Home: 1–3; Road: 1–2)
July
: 5–6 (Home: 4–4; Road: 1–2)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
19
July 1
@ Dallas
W 97–89
Cambage N. Ogwumike (22)
Liz Cambage (11)
Kristi Toliver (7)
College Park Center 3,187
8–11
20
July 3
New York
W 84–74
Nneka Ogwumike (22)
Chiney Ogwumike (10)
Jordin Canada (7)
Crypto.com Arena 5,436
9–11
21
July 4
Phoenix
W 78–75
Nneka Ogwumike (23)
Nneka Ogwumike (9)
Jordin Canada (5)
Crypto.com Arena 3,340
10–11
22
July 7
Seattle
L 69–106
Lexie Brown (16)
Cambage Nelson-Ododa N. Ogwumike Walker (4)
Jordin Canada (6)
Crypto.com Arena 6,389
10–12
23
July 12
Washington
L 81–94
Samuelson Sykes (16)
Chiney Ogwumike (10)
Canada Cambage (3)
Crypto.com Arena 5,004
10–13
24
July 14
Chicago
L 68–80
Nneka Ogwumike (16)
Chiney Ogwumike (13)
Jordin Canada (8)
Crypto.com Arena 5,856
10–14
25
July 19
Indiana
W 86–79
Nneka Ogwumike (35)
Chiney Ogwumike (10)
Jordin Canada (8)
Crypto.com Arena 5,478
11–14
26
July 21
Atlanta
W 85–78
Nneka Ogwumike (20)
Chiney Ogwumike (7)
Jordin Canada (6)
Crypto.com Arena 10,021
12–14
27
July 23
@ Las Vegas
L 66–84
Chennedy Carter (15)
Jordin Canada (7)
Canada Samuelson (3)
Michelob Ultra Arena 7,522
12–15
28
July 28
@ Phoenix
L 80–90
Chennedy Carter (23)
Nneka Ogwumike (11)
Nneka Ogwumike (5)
Footprint Center 8,124
12–16
29
July 31
Minnesota
L 77–84
Nneka Ogwumike (23)
Chiney Ogwumike (6)
Jordin Canada (6)
Crypto.com Arena 6,857
12–17
August
: 1–6 (Home: 0–3; Road: 1–3)
2022 season schedule
Standings
Notes
(#) – League Standing
x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from playoff contention
Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings
Statistics
Regular Season
‡ Waived/Released during the season
† Traded during the season
≠ Acquired during the season
Awards and honors
References
^ "2022 Los Angeles Sparks Schedule" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved January 1, 2022 .
^ Jennings, Chantel. "Sparks parting ways with coach Derek Fisher: Source" . theathletic.com . The Athletic. Retrieved June 7, 2022 .
^ "WNBA Transctions – Player Movement" . acrossthetimeline.com . Across the Timeline. Retrieved January 1, 2022 .
^ "Rachel Galligan Tweet" . twitter.com . Rachel Galligan. Retrieved January 1, 2022 .
^ "Sparks Re-Sign Lauren Cox" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved January 4, 2022 .
^ "Sparks Re-Sign Te'a Cooper" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved January 20, 2022 .
^ "Storm & Sparks Complete Trade" . wnba.com . WNBA. February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022 .
^ "Dream Acquire Erica Wheeler, 2023 First Round Pick and 2022 Second Round Pick in Trade with Sparks" . dream.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 10, 2022 .
^ "Sparks Sign WNBA Champion Jordin Canada" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 10, 2022 .
^ "Sparks Sign WNBA All-Star Liz Cambage" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 19, 2022 .
^ "Sparks Acquire WNBA Champion Lexie Brown" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved April 6, 2022 .
^ "Sparks Announce 2022 Training Camp Roster" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved April 16, 2022 .
^ "NEWS: The @LASparks waived Lauren Cox, Chantel Horvat, and Lexi Gordon today" . twitter.com . Twitter. Retrieved May 2, 2022 .
^ "Sparks Waive Three Players" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved May 4, 2022 .
^ "LA Sparks Announce Contract Extension For Katie Lou Samuelson" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved May 16, 2022 .
^ "NEWS: Katie Lou Samuelson has returned from overseas play. Her status has changed from partial season suspension to active ahead of tonight's game against the Minnesota Lynx" . twitter.com . Twitter. Retrieved May 24, 2022 .
^ "LA Sparks Part Ways with General Manager/Head coach Derek Fisher" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved June 7, 2022 .
^ "More news today out of Los Angeles as the Sparks have waived Amy Atwell @Winsidr" . twitter.com . Twitter. Retrieved June 7, 2022 .
^ "Los Angeles Sparks Sign Kianna Smith to 7-day contract" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved July 5, 2022 .
^ "Los Angeles Sparks Agree to Contract Divorce with Liz Cambage" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved July 26, 2022 .
^ "Los Angeles Sparks Re-Sign Kianna Smith to 7-day contract" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved July 27, 2022 .
^ "Los Angeles Sparks Sign Kianna Smith to Rest of Season Contract" . sparks.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved August 4, 2022 .
^ "AT&T WNBA All-Star Starters Announced With Seattle Storm's Sue Bird Extending Record-Number of All-Star Selections to 13" . wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved June 22, 2022 .
^ @WNBA (June 27, 2022). ".@nnekaogwumike & @Sloot22 are your WNBA Players of the Week 👏" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ "Kia WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson Leads 2022 All-WNBA First Team" (Press release). WNBA. September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 17, 2022 .
^ @WNBA (August 30, 2022). "Your 2022 #WNBA All-Defensive Second Team ⬇️ @athomas_25 @ezimagbegor @jus242 @BrittBundlez @gabbywilliams15 #MoreThan" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
External links
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