Zia Cooke’s WNBA debut was both efficient and victorious. The Los Angeles Sparks made Cooke the 10th selection of the 2023 draft, and she went right to work for her new squad. The talented guard used a helpful screen from Dearica Hamby to create enough space to rise up for an elbow jumper that she drained despite a strong defensive effort by Phoenix Mercury guard Sug Sutton. Cooke scored 14 points on 5 of 6 from the field — she made both of her free throws and 3-pointers — while adding two rebounds and two assists in a 15-minute run off the bench in the Sparks’ 94-71 win on May 19, 2023. 

Zia Cooke

Zia Cooke drills pullup jumper in impressive WNBA debut

Electric guards keep the defense dancing. After navigating around a high screen out at the perimeter, Erica Wheeler of the Los Angeles Sparks draws the help side away from the passing lane with a crossover, then delivers a one-handed dime to teammate Amanda Zahui B. Wheeler finished with 15 points and five dimes in the July 2, 2021 matchup against the Las Vegas Aces.

Erica Wheeler

Erica Wheeler draws defense with handle, hits cutter with no-look feed

It’s the untouchable footwork that makes Nneka Ogwumike such a problem in the paint. The Los Angeles Sparks forward draws her low-post defender out of position with a ball fake before stepping through for an off-balance hoop against the Dallas Wings. Ogwumike put up 18 total points in the season opener on May 14, 2021.

Nneka Ogwumike

Nneka Ogwumike flashes footwork in the paint to create space for hoop

When the game is on the line, give ball to the vet. With seconds remaining in regulation against the Atlanta Dream, Los Angeles Sparks guard Kristi Toliver drives against her check before spinning back into a fadeaway jumper from the elbow. Toliver’s hoop would send the August 17, 2021 contest to overtime and the Sparks would hold on for the W.

Kristi Toliver

Kristi Tolliver beats the buzzer to force overtime on game-tying turnaround

Find Lisa Leslie anywhere in the post, and be ready to watch your assist numbers tally up. With her 6-foot-5 frame and ability to score from any angle imaginable, the Los Angeles Sparks sought out their three-time MVP early and often in a win-or-go-home playoff game against the Seattle Storm on September 23, 2008. Freeing up her outside arm against tight defense, Leslie helps the Sparks take advantage of a high-low action before powering up for a physical and-one finish to push their lead further into double-digits. Leslie finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks to help guide her team to the Western Conference Finals.

Lisa Leslie

Lisa Leslie sinks bucket through contact in 2008 Playoffs

Gifted ball handlers know exactly how to get their defenders out of position. Los Angeles Sparks guard Te’a Cooper baits her defender into a screen before crossing over back to the other side and slicing her way into the paint for a tough layup on September 9, 2021.

Te'a Cooper

Te'a Cooper slashes through paint for layup in traffic

Simply watching Nneka Ogwumike go to work with the rock is exhausting enough, good luck trying to check her. The Los Angeles Sparks forward wastes no time taking it straight to the Chicago Sky, facing up her defender down on the baseline before spinning her way into the paint, creating space with an up-fake and banking in a hoop before the opponents even know what hit them. Ogwumike finished with nine points in the August 13, 2013 victory.

Nneka Ogwumike spins free for a bucket in the post

As she collects the rock, you just know she’s about to make history. Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie hauls in an outlet pass on a fastbreak then heads straight to the rack for the first dunk in WNBA history. Leslie added 13 points and eight boards in the July 30, 2002 matchup against the Miami Sol.

Lisa Leslie throws down the first dunk in WNBA history

For Los Angeles Sparks forward DeLisha Milton-Jones, all it took was a little bit of airspace to find the bottom of the net. Unable to locate an open teammate in a June 24, 2008 contest, Milton-Jones takes it upon herself, changing direction with a quick crossover against tight defense before raising up for a smooth midrange jumper. The two-time All-Star was on her game with 19 points, six rebounds and two steals in a 76-62 win over the Seattle Storm.

DeLisha Milton-Jones

DeLisha Milton-Jones pulls up for mid-range jumper over defender

In the midst of an eight-game losing streak, Los Angeles Sparks guard Jordin Canada was happy to play the role of hero when her team badly needed a pick-me-up. With the Sparks down two in the closing seconds, Canada took a few dribbles right at Erica Wheeler before sinking the game-winning 3-pointer with 3.2 seconds remaining. The two-time champion posted 20 points, four rebounds, 10 assists and three steals in the thrilling 79-78 victory over the Indiana Fever on July 25, 2023.

Jordin Canada

Jordin Canada pulls up from deep for game-winner vs. Fever

When Amanda Zahui B roams the paint as your last line of defense, good things happen. After stepping up to thwart an Indiana Fever drive attempt on one end of the floor, the Los Angeles Sparks center hustles down the court and heads straight to the rack to cap off the play as the trailer. Zahui B finished with 13 points, nine boards and three blocks in the August 15, 2021 W.

Amanda Zahui B

Amanda Zahui B protects the paint on one end, runs floor for hoop on the other

When you're a guard with speed and craftiness to your dribble, you've got a fighting chance to score against any defender on the floor. Isolated in a switch against a former Defensive Player of the Year, Jordin Canada rises to the occasion, forcing the Chicago Sky center to leave her feet with a smooth between-the-legs hesitation combo before finishing with her signature underhanded finger roll. The former WNBA champion tallied up four points, four assists and two boards for the Los Angeles Sparks in just 14 minutes in the June 23, 2022 contest.

Jordin Canada keeps defense on toes before lunging layup

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Zia Cooke

Erica Wheeler

Nneka Ogwumike

Kristi Toliver

Lisa Leslie

Te'a Cooper

Nneka Ogwumike

Lisa Leslie

DeLisha Milton-Jones

Jordin Canada

Amanda Zahui B

Jordin Canada