LOS ANGELES — With eight games left in the regular season, the 17-19 Sparks need to win more games than they lose over the final two weeks if they want a realistic chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

The team’s postseason outlook is not yet dire, but Friday’s game at Crypto.com Arena against the Indiana Fever will likely to prove to be pivotal.

“It’s a must-win for us so we have to go in with that intensity,” Sparks second-year forward Cameron Brink said. “I think if we play with joy and a sense of urgency, it will come out our way.”

Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said her team is preparing to play the Fever without Caitlin Clark, who has not played since July 15 and has missed 16 straight games with a right groin injury.

“We have not planned for her playing, but we have in the past so we have those game plans ready,” Roberts said.

The Sparks, who are coming off a 92-84 loss at home to the Phoenix Mercury, are 3-0 against the Fever this season. Clark, who averages 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists, did not play in any of the matchups.

“It’s a big game,” Roberts said. “It’s a big game for them. I think both teams are fighting for their playoff life and I’m sure both teams are saying we gotta have this one. We’ve had some success playing them. We already have the tiebreaker but we need the win.”

A win helps the Sparks inch close to a .500 record for the first time since the second game of the season in mid-May.

“But the mindset for us right is its a must have,” Roberts said. “So we have to compete, show up, prepare with that urgency.”

Sparks coach Lynne Roberts on the team’s ‘must-have’ game against the Indiana Fever Friday night.

After Thursday’s practice Coach Roberts said she did not expect Caitlin Clark to play but if Clark’s game status changes, the Sparks will have a game plan ready. pic.twitter.com/2FLs6xY2lY

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 28, 2025

The Sparks, who have win six of their past 10 games, are in ninth place and 1.5 games behind Seattle for the eighth and final playoff spot.

“I think at this point in the season everyone is feeling like every game is a must-win just for playoff seeding,” said All-Star guard Kelsey Plum, who leads the Sparks with 20.4 points and 5.9 assists.

Brink said Plum has personally impacted and aided in her 13-month recovery from a season-ending torn ACL injury.

“Kelsey is amazing,” Brink said. She’s one of a kind and I think her leadership and her intensity has really shift the whole organization. We’re thankful for her every day, her work ethic. What she does on and off the court is amazing and she’s been huge for me in building my confidence in coming back and I think she really makes me feel seen in that, so she’s really important to me and the whole team for sure.”

Cameron Brink on the Sparks must-win game against the Indiana Fever Friday.

Brink, who shared a personal assessment of her first 11 games back after returning from an ACL injury, said if the Sparks plays with joy and a sense of urgency, the game will come out the their way. pic.twitter.com/cbphDq0Z7t

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 28, 2025

Plum said she expects Brink, who is averaging 5.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots in her first 11 games back, to keep making her proud.

“When you come off a major injury, it’s difficult and especially midway through the season just to be able to come and give us energy. And every game I think she’s getting better and better, so I’m very proud of her,” Plum added.

Fever All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell is averaging 20.7 points. All-Star forward Aliyah Boston is averaging 15.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists. The Fever are coming off a 95-75 win at home against the Seattle on Tuesday.

FEVER (20-18) AT SPARKS (17-19)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Crypto.com Arena

TV: ION

Kelsey Plum on the LA Sparks must-win game against the Indiana Fever.

Plum also discussed the team’s game plan against Kelsey Mitchell and Aaliyah Boston and how Cameron Brink has been getting better every game since returning from a 13-month ACL rehabilitation and recovery. pic.twitter.com/7ufN3KsWnL

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 28, 2025