![\"WNBA:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/26648568.jpg\")
Jul 15, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards (24) drives past Los Angeles Sparks forward Azura Stevens (23) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nThe Los Angeles Sparks found the right kind of rhythm prior to the short WNBA All-Star break, and they will be looking to maintain that when they visit the Washington Mystics on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n It will be a rematch of the most recent game for each team. The Sparks blew out visiting Washington 99-80 last Tuesday in the final game for the teams before the hiatus. Three Los Angeles players reached the 20-point mark in the game, led by Dearica Hamby’s 26.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “I think we’re starting to figure it out, and being healthy helps,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Mystics coach Sydney Johnson said he saw room for improvement from his club.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “They exposed a little bit of our weaknesses,” Johnson said. “There are some things I can help our players with to help us play better.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Defensive breakdowns in the first meeting will need to be addressed, Johnson said. The Mystics (11-11) will aim to get back on track after their three-game winning streak was snapped in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “They’re a great frontcourt, versatile,” said forward-center Shakira Austin, who led Washington with 16 points against the Sparks. “They were a little more physical. We have to stop being the less physical team.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Sparks (8-14) are bracing for a different approach from the Mystics.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n “They’re going to come at us differently,” said Kelsey Plum, who leads the Sparks in scoring with 20.1 points per game. “We know that, so just be prepared for that.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Sparks are still adjusting under Roberts. She is in her first season on the Los Angeles bench after being hired to replace the fired Curt Miller.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “It’s just time together and in the system and it takes a minute,” Roberts said. “We just got to keep our foot on the gas as a group.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n A key contributor for Los Angeles has been Julie Allemand, who dished out 10 assists last week against Washington. The Sparks were plus-22 with Allemand on the court, even though she scored only three points in 32 minutes.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “That’s hard to do,” Roberts said of the plus-minus ratio. “Her value cannot be unstated.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Brittney Sykes is Washington’s top scorer at 17.1 points per game, and she was added as an injury replacement for the All-Star Game. Rookie teammates Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen also represented the Mystics at the All-Star Game.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “They’re checking a lot of boxes,” Johnson said of his team. “They’re working. They’re getting better. There’s humility.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Mystics guard Sug Sutton said the first half of the season was a stretch of getting to know each other.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “We still have another 22 games,” Sutton said. “I think we’ve been doing good, holding each other accountable.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n