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    Sparks play without Monique Akoa Makani, lose for the eighth time in 10 games
    • August 10, 2026

    LOS ANGELES — The game was like an unnecessary reboot of the same middling show – or worse, just another retelling of the same, painful story.

    Sunday was the Sparks’ first return to Crypto.com Arena since they traded Kelsey Plum to Phoenix on Aug. 1 – although her on-the-court presence had left long before.

    The only player Los Angeles received for the injured, five-time All-Star was guard Monique Akoa Makani.

    But Akoa Makani didn’t play in the Sparks’ 84-78 loss to the Golden State Valkyries due to a right-ankle injury she sustained Thursday, coach Lynne Roberts said.

    Just three days after the Sparks pulled off an upset win over the first-place Minnesota Lynx with Akoa Makani on the floor, they proved no match for the second-place Valkyries without her.

    The Sparks changed their colors – donning the teal and gold Rebel Edition Uniforms – but the injury-plagued team otherwise looked very much the same.

    Los Angeles sputtered out the gate, as Golden State essentially lapped it with a 29-15 advantage after the first quarter.

    By halftime, that gap shrunk – but only to 45-32.  The Valkyries were shooting 54.5% from the field to the Sparks’ 37.5%. From deep, the discrepancy was 41.2% to 33.3%.

    Nneka Ogwumike paced the Sparks with 16 points off 7-for-18 shooting, with Erica Wheeler on her tail with 15 and Dearica Hamby adding 12 points.

    Off the bench, Kiana Williams put up double-digit points for just the second time this season.

    Rae Burrell, who led the team with 17 points against Minnesota, notched nine points in the fourth quarter alone – but that only came after three scoreless quarters.

    For the Valkyries, Cecilia Zandalasini led with 15 points – and starters Kayla Thornton and Gabby Williams each scored 11, with Tiffany Hayes adding 14 off the bench.

    Like they have so many times this season, the Sparks battled to the buzzer – a fourth-quarter push pulled them within 74-73, and later at 84-78.

    But basketball does not give an A for effort.

    The Sparks have lost eight of their last 10.

    More to come on this story.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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