Kate Martin opened her scoring account with the LA Sparks, draining a corner 3-pointer in Sunday's 106-96 loss to 2026 WNBA expansion team Toronto Tempo.
The 25-year-old recently joined the Sparks following a surprising cut by the Golden State Valkyries. Martin is now playing for her third franchise in three seasons. She started her WNBA career as a rookie with the Las Vegas Aces.
Martin splashed in a signature corner three during the matchup's first half. She went on to record 11 points across 18 minutes, marking her first scoring performance in a Sparks uniform.
The guard is looking to establish herself as a reliable piece for a Sparks team dealing with depth issues at her position. Los Angeles needs backcourt help, creating an opportunity for Martin to carve out a consistent role on the West Coast.
Martin entered the WNBA with Las Vegas, where she spent her rookie season. She went on to join Golden State in the team's 2025 expansion draft. However, the Valkyries cut her shortly before the 2026 season's tipoff, sending her to the open market where LA quickly scooped her up.
Los Angeles hopes the Iowa product can provide the steady guard play they've lacked early in the season. Martin's shooting ability and basketball IQ make her an attractive piece for the Sparks' rotation moving forward.
Where to Watch Kate Martin & the LA Sparks This Week
The Sparks next host the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday at 9 PM ET, live on Amazon Prime.
Toronto earned its first-ever win on Wednesday, powering past Seattle 86-73 ahead of back-to-back weekend bouts with the Sparks in LA.
League points per game co-leader Marina Mabrey is fueling the 1-1 Tempo’s success. The expansion draft pickup dropped six 3-pointers on the Storm to boost her early-season average to 26.5.
“I want to win really bad, and I know that if I can bring that kind of energy it [can] be contagious for everyone,” Mabrey said.
Toronto now embarks on another first — its first road trip — taking on a struggling Sparks side to tip off four consecutive away games.
“I love the road, I get to sleep a little bit more, but these players get to bond a little bit too, get to know each other, because we’re around each other all the time," Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello said.
“It’s an opportunity for us to grow and face adversity when we will, but it shows the character of the team, how we’re going to respond to that,” she continued. “I’m excited about that.”
Where to Watch Toronto Tempo vs LA Sparks WNBA Games
Toronto takes on LA tonight at 10 PM ET (ION), before meeting again on Sunday at 7 PM ET (WNBA League Pass).
The LA Sparks announced plans to honor Hall of Fame center Lisa Leslie with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena. She becomes just the second player in WNBA history to receive such recognition from a former franchise.
"To be cemented in Los Angeles, the city that raised me, I couldn't be more proud," Leslie said in a team statement. "God has blessed me and I have truly given my all to this sport and our community."
Lisa Leslie spent her entire 12-year career with the Sparks after joining the league at its 1997 inception. The eight-time All-Star led LA to back-to-back championships in 2001 and 2002, earning three MVP awards and four Olympic gold medals during her playing career.
Leslie holds the Sparks' all-time records in points, rebounds, blocks, field goals, free throws, minutes, and games. She ranks third in WNBA history in double-doubles and blocks, while sitting sixth in rebounds, ninth in offensive rebounds, and 13th in scoring. Her eight First Team All-WNBA selections rank second all-time.
Leslie made history as the first player to dunk during a WNBA game. The move single-handedly helped redefine women's basketball on its biggest stage.
After retiring in 2009, Leslie built a successful broadcasting and media career. The Sparks retired her No. 9 jersey in 2010.
Lisa Leslie Statue Joins Crypto.com Arena Sports Legends
Leslie joins 15 other sports legends honored outside Crypto.com Arena, including Lakers greats Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O'Neal.
"Lisa's legacy isn't just measured by championships and accolades," said Johnson. "She is a pioneer, a cultural icon, and a force who elevated women's basketball to new heights."
Sculptors Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany are behind the piece. The ceremony takes place September 20th, before the Sparks host 2026 WNBA expansion side Portland.
Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink dominated the paint in Thursday’s matchup against the Indiana Fever at Crypto.com Arena.
Despite the team's 87-78 loss, the highlight of the night came when Brink met Fever star Caitlin Clark at the rim. The 2024 No. 2 draft pick recorded a clean, emphatic block on Clark’s layup attempt, sending the LA crowd into a frenzy.
The play immediately went viral across social media, serving as a prime showcase of Brink’s elite defensive timing. Brink’s rejection anchored a Sparks defense that limited Indiana's scoring in the paint throughout the night, limiting stars like Aliyah Boston and Monique Billings to single digit performances.
Brink Answers Sparks Coach Lynne Roberts in LA
Brink's strong showing follows a public challenge from the Sparks coaching staff earlier this week. After going scoreless in just 8 minutes in the Spark loss to the Las Vegas Aces, Lynne Roberts got candid about the forward's output.
"We need Cam to produce... bring that defensive energy," Roberts said in a postgame interview. "We have so much confidence and belief in her. She's gotta get out on the floor with some confidence and do what she's capable of doing."
Brink responded with disciplined interior defense, neutralizing Clark’s drives without picking up early fouls. The performance showed Brink’s ability to apply coaching adjustments in a high-pressure spotlight.
"I’m a defensive minded player, so I feel like that’s what gets me going," Brink told reporters. "If I’m super locked in and just loud and talking on defense, I can fuel the team."
As the Sparks continue their Western Conference schedule, Brink’s growth remains a focal point for the franchise. The team's next test comes against the Toronto Tempo at home on Sunday, May 17th.
Indiana is on the board, as Caitlin Clark and the Fever earned its first win of 2026 in last night’s 87-78 handling of Cameron Brink and LA — extending the Sparks’ early frustrations at home.
Indiana guards Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark’s combined 47 points managed to offset center Aliyah Boston, who uncharacteristically fouled out with just 4 points on the night.
“I feel like my speed and my burst is back, and that helps me get downhill,” Clark said afterwards. “My shot feels great, and I feel like it’s right there. The best thing I can do for this team is play-make.”
LA now drops to 0-2 on the season. The Sparks struggled to contain the Fever’s offense, despite balanced scoring led by Kelsey Plum’s 25 points.
Third-year forward Cameron Brink saw some positives after a tough first outing. She put up 11 points and three blocks in 19 minutes off the bench.
“I’m a defensive-minded player so I feel like that’s what gets me going,” Brink said.
“If I’m super locked in and just loud and talking on defense, I feel like that’s can fuel the team. I’m really proud of the way we fought back today. We’re going to be better.”
Where to Watch the LA Sparks & Indiana Fever This Week
Both teams are live on ION tomorrow, as Indiana hosts Washington at 7:30 PM ET before LA welcomes Toronto at 10 PM ET.
The Indiana Fever released a clean injury report on Wednesday ahead of the Fever vs. Sparks game in Los Angeles, definitively answering the question "Is Caitlin Clark hurt?"
Clark has been cleared after leaving the court multiple times during Indiana's season opener for back adjustments. ABC's broadcast team sparked concern after reporting Clark received treatment on her hip flexor and groin area from training staff.
However, coach Stephanie White quickly dismissed any injury talk. "That would be the first time I've heard that," White said after the game.
Both White and Clark confirmed she left the court to get her back adjusted, with Clark not appearing bothered by the issue.
Indiana Fever vs. LA Sparks Headlines WNBA Wednesday
The Fever (0-1) and Sparks (0-1) are both searching for their first wins of the 2026 WNBA season.
Indiana opened the season with a tight 107-104 defeat to the Dallas Wings, dropping the game despite strong offensive performances. Clark scored 20 points in the loss, becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 career points in just 54 games. Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell led all scorers with 30 points, while Aliyah Boston added 23.
LA brings its own firepower — and taste for redemption — after getting blown out by defending champion Las Vegas. Kelsey Plum scored 27 points for the Sparks, while veteran Nneka Ogwumike posted 19 points and 10 rebounds in her homecoming performance.
The biggest injury news for Indiana? Forward Monique Billings should return to the court, after missing the season opener with an ankle injury. She may face a minutes restriction, however, as she eases back into her WNBA workload.
Both teams struggled defensively in their openers. Indiana allowed 107 points, while the Sparks couldn't stifle the Las Vegas offense.
Where to Watch Fever vs. Sparks WNBA Game
Indiana tips off against LA on Wednesday at 10:30 PM ET, live on USA Network.
The Los Angeles Sparks signed guard Kate Martin to a Player Development Pool contract, the team announced Sunday. The move comes just three days after the Golden State Valkyries surprisingly waived Martin during final roster cuts.
Martin became a key contributor for the Valkyries during their 2025 inaugural season. She spoke to reporters about her departure after landing in Los Angeles just hours before the Sparks took on her former team, the Las Vegas Aces.
“It was brutal,” the former Iowa Hawkeyes standout said while fighting back tears. “It wasn't an easy process, and now I feel like I can relate to a lot more people on a level I never wanted to be able to relate on. But it's going to help me as a leader and a person going forward.”
The Valkyries selected Martin in the 2025 WNBA Expansion Draft. She averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16 minutes per game. Martin became a fixture for the team and a fan favorite, making the decision a difficult call for the franchise.
Valkyries' head coach Natalie Nakase said the decision was a hard one. “Kate was our family member and someone we cared about deeply,” said the second-year manager. “It's hard because we are trying to build the best team possible.”
What Is a WNBA Player Development Pool Contract?
Martin joins the Sparks as part of the team's Player Development Pool. Each WNBA team gets two spots to integrate players into their system without signing them to a salary-capped contract. The addition comes thanks to the league's new CBA, meaning Martin can play in up to 12 games in a Sparks jersey.
As a development pool player, she'll earn $6,136 per game and receive a weekly stipend throughout the season.
“We're eager to watch Kate develop within our system,” Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley said in a team statement.
Pebley added that Martin is “confident in her shot, plays tenacious defense and is an unselfish, high-energy teammate” who she believes will “mesh well with Sparks basketball.”
Sparks Face Fever with Caitlin Clark-Kate Martin Reunion Possible
The team's next game on May 13th takes place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles against the Indiana Fever, where Martin could suit up in Sparks colors for the first time against her college teammate Caitlin Clark.
The Aces’ title defense is off to an up-and-down start, as 2025 runner-up Phoenix humbled Las Vegas 99-66 on Saturday — setting up Sunday’s 105-78 bounce-back win over LA.
Reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson began the 2026 season where she left off, turning in two 19-point performances in both games despite her team’s early struggles against a formidable Phoenix offense.
“We know what it’s like to have a long offseason,” Wilson after falling to the Mercury. “You’re just like, ‘I don’t care who’s in front of us this first game, we have to redeem ourselves.’”
The Aces righted the ship against a Sparks team in flux, as LA integrates veteran talent like forward Nneka Ogwumike — plus reserve signing Kate Martin — into a developing squad.
2024 No. 2 pick Cameron Brink only played eight minutes off the bench in the defeat, as the Sparks lost pace despite a 27-point night from star guard Kelsey Plum.
“We need Cam to bring that defensive energy,” said LA head coach Lynne Roberts.
“We have so much confidence and belief in her. She's gotta get out on the floor with some confidence, and do what she's capable of doing.”
Las Vegas Aces Headline USA's Wednesday WNBA Doubleheader
Las Vegas tips off USA’s Wednesday doubleheader against Connecticut at 8 PM ET, before LA hosts Indiana at 10:30 PM ET.
LA faces its first WNBA competition on Sunday, taking on expansion side Portland after cruising past Nigeria 89-63 last weekend — giving the Sparks one more look at its revamped lineup before regular-season tipoff.
An ambitious offseason saw LA retain star guard Kelsey Plum, bring back former MVP Nneka Ogwumike, and trade young guard Rickea Jackson for 2019 WNBA champion Ariel Atkins, signaling a win-now mentality.
Carrying a veteran load, the Sparks’ young core will likely face scrutiny this season, as 2026 second-round pick Ta’Niya Latson fights for a roster spot while 2024 No. 2 pick Cameron Brink shakes off injuries that stalled her early career.
“This offseason has been about basketball for [Brink]. It’s not been about her hamstring, quad strength, and her mobility,” said LA Sparks GM Raegan Pebley. “It’s great to see Cam come into year three confident and without so much noise.”
“I think my motto this year is just to play basketball,” echoed Brink. “Just to hoop and keep it simple.”
How to Watch LA Sparks vs. Portland Fire WNBA Preseason Game
The Sparks face the Fire on Sunday at 7 PM ET, live on WNBA League Pass.
Ta'Niya Latson wasn't selected as high as many expected in the 2026 WNBA Draft — but she still walked away with strong support from one of the league's most respected voices.
The former South Carolina guard fell to No. 20 overall, where the Los Angeles Sparks selected her in the second round. The pick marked a notable slide from earlier projections that had Latson going higher in the night's opening round.
Draft Night didn't unfold as expected — something Latson acknowledged herself.
“It was shocking to everybody; I mean, I was kind of shocked,” she said. “It’s about fit, I feel like. Fit over pick. I flipped my mentality immediately when I found out I was going to LA.”
Even so, her value hasn't gone unnoticed.
Longtime Sparks icon and future Hall of Famer Nneka Ogwumike praised Latson during her own (re)introductory press conference.
“I absolutely love her,” Ogwumike said Monday. “I think she is the biggest steal [in the WNBA draft] this year. You can tell who's somebody that's locked in. She is someone who does not like to lose, and she's quite mature for her age.”
Latson entered the draft after a standout season at South Carolina, where she adjusted her role on a loaded roster. After finishing 2024/25 at Florida State as DI basketball's leading scorer, she transfered to a more balanced system under coach Dawn Staley. There, she showed she could contribute beyond just putting up points.
And that versatility subsequently helped shape her fit in Los Angeles.
The Sparks are currently rebuilding, and Latson arrives with proven scoring instincts and heightened adaptability to different roles and systems.
With veteran support and clear opportunity ahead, Latson enters the WNBA with both motivation and belief. And the combination that could quickly redefine how the league's remembers her selection.