Sparks to open at new host site
L.A. Convention Center to hold team’s first 11 home games because Staples Center is unavailable.
After spending last season in a Florida bubble, the Sparks will return to L.A. for the 2021 season with a new roster and new home court.
The WNBA announced a 32-game schedule Tuesday, starting the league’s 25th season on May 14. The Sparks play the Dallas Wings on opening day at the Los Angeles Convention Center, which will play host to the team’s first 11 home games because Staples Center is overrun with delayed NBA and NHL games. The Sparks will move back to Staples Center for their final five home games and playoffs.
To accommodate an Olympic break from July 15 through Aug. 11, the WNBA reduced each team’s slate of games from 36 to 32.
Teams will play three games against 10 teams and two games against one team from an opposing conference.
The Sparks’ two-game opponent is the New York Liberty, headlined by former Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu, who is coming off a severe ankle injury that cut her rookie season short.
For the first time since 2008, the Sparks will be without Candace Parker, who signed with the Chicago Sky as a free agent. The two-time WNBA most valuable player will return to L.A. on June 5 after the Sparks play in Chicago on May 28 and 30.
The Sparks reunite with guard Chelsea Gray, another key piece of the team’s last championship team, on May 21 in Las Vegas. Gray will return to L.A. as a member of the Aces on June 30 and July 1.
With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the league built the schedule to include two-game series so teams can play consecutive games in one market and limit travel. The regular season is expected to conclude Sept. 19, followed by the league’s traditional playoff format.
Having lost two of their three top players after getting knocked out in a singleelimination second-round game last year, the Sparks built the roster around forward Nneka Ogwumike. They added All-Star guard Erica Wheeler, former No. 2 overall pick Amanda Zahui B. and guard Bria Holmes. Guard Kristi Toliver and forward Chiney Ogwumike return after opting out last season.
SCHEDULE (All times Pacific; first 10 home games at L.A. Convention Center; * last five at Staples Center)
May
May 14, 7:30 p.m. vs. Dallas; May 21, 7:30 p.m. at Las Vegas; May 28, 5 p.m. at Chicago; May 30, 3 p.m. at Chicago. June
June 1, 5 p.m. at Dallas; June 3, 7:30 p.m. vs. Indiana; June 5, noon vs. Chicago; June 10, 4 p.m. at Washington; June 12, 5 p.m. at Minnesota; June 16, 7:30 p.m. vs. Phoenix; June 18, 7:30 p.m. vs. Phoenix; June 20, 1 p.m. vs. New York; June 24, 7:30 p.m. vs. Washington; June 26, 7 p.m. at Phoenix; June 30, 7:30 p.m. vs. Las Vegas. July
July 2, 7 p.m. vs. Las Vegas; July 4, 6 p.m. vs. Seattle; July 7, 7 p.m. at Seattle; July 11, 6 p.m. vs. Minnesota. August
Aug. 15, 6 p.m. vs. Indiana*; Aug. 17, 7:30 p.m. vs. Atlanta*; Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m. vs. Atlanta*; Aug. 22, 11 a.m. at New York; Aug. 24, 4 p.m. at Washington; Aug. 26, 4 p.m. at Connecticut; Aug. 28, 4 p.m. at Connecticut; Aug. 31, 4 p.m. at Indiana. September
Sept. 2, 5 p.m. at Minnesota; Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. vs. Connecticut*; Sept. 12, noon vs. Seattle*; Sept. 16, 4 p.m. at Atlanta; Sept. 19, 1 p.m. at Dallas.