Sparks vs Storm predictions
Get ready for a showdown in the Pacific Northwest as the Los Angeles Sparks gear up to take on the Seattle Storm, and all eyes are on the Sparks’ star leaders. Kelsey Plum has been the heartbeat of L.A.’s offense, and going into Climate Pledge Arena, there’s every reason to expect her to keep pouring it on. With her smooth jumper and ability to heat up from anywhere on the floor, Plum could very well rack up another 20-point performance, especially with Seattle’s perimeter defense occasionally prone to lapses. Don’t sleep on Azura Stevens either—the way she’s been crashing the glass, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her snag double-digit rebounds in this matchup. Add her length and energy and suddenly L.A. looks a lot more threatening on second-chance opportunities.
When looking at the Seattle Storm, their game plan often runs through Nneka Ogwumike, who’s fresh off a monster 26-point outing. You have to figure her momentum will carry over, especially with the home crowd behind her. Ogwumike doesn’t just score—she brings relentless hustle on the boards, so you can pencil her in for a double-double threat every time out. Skylar Diggins is another piece to watch; her court vision and crisp passing give Seattle plenty of ways to attack. If she starts piling up assists and pushing the tempo, Los Angeles will have their hands full trying to keep up. The chemistry between Ogwumike and Diggins is starting to click, which usually spells trouble for visiting teams.
So, who comes out on top when it’s all said and done? With the Storm boasting a strong home record and the type of momentum you love to see at this point in the season, you have to like their chances. Los Angeles can definitely keep things close thanks to Plum’s firepower and Stevens’ mismatch potential, but Seattle just looks a touch deeper and more balanced right now. Plus, with Ogwumike playing at such a high level and the fans rocking Climate Pledge Arena, the Storm feel like the team to beat in this one. What do you think—can the Sparks pull off the upset, or will the Storm defend their home court yet again?
