LA can clinch the season series against the Storm with a win. More importantly, Seattle sits just above them in the playoff race with the Sparks still on the outside looking in.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Sparks vs. Seattle Storm
Where: Climate Pledge Arena
With only six games remaining in the season and the Sparks sitting two games out of the playoffs, every contest the rest of the way will be a must-win for LA. However, Monday’s Labor Day duel will carry even greater importance as the Storm are one of those sides sitting just above the Sparks.
LA’s postseason push will hinge on winning in Seattle.
A victory will pull the Sparks to within reach of the playoffs again and, equally important, will clinch the season series for LA. With the playoffs being so tight, it’s an extremely important tiebreaker to have in the back pocket.
So, while the Sparks have had the upper hand in the last two showdowns, it’s been by very narrow margins. By whatever means necessary, they’ll have to come away with the win on Monday as a loss means they’ll drop three games back of the playoffs with five games left, effectively ending any chances at making the playoffs.
No pressure, then, for LA, who will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back while Seattle last played on Saturday at home and will have the rest advantage. But the Sparks only have themselves to blame for being in this position.