Sparks fire head coach Roberts after 2 seasons — SkimNews
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- Los Angeles Sparks fired head coach Lynne Roberts on Friday morning after the team missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season under her leadership.
- Roberts went a combined 37-50 across her two seasons in L.A. and was hired in November 2024 after a strong run at the University of Utah.
- The Sparks were originally tasked with rebuilding around No. 2 pick Cameron Brink but repeatedly pivoted, adding veterans Kelsey Plum and Nneka Ogwumike and trading Rickea Jackson for Ariel Atkins.
- Midway through this season, the Sparks traded Plum to Phoenix for a package highlighted by the Mercury's own first-round pick and Monique Akoa Makani.
- Nneka Ogwumike is retiring after this season, and the franchise hired new general manager Ariana Andonian last month to replace Raegan Pebley.
- Roberts pointed to injuries and organizational churn, telling reporters before Thursday's finale: "Our president's been here... four months. So just again, so much change."
- Sparks special adviser Farhan Zaidi thanked Roberts, saying her commitment "was evident all the way through our last game last night" and wished her and her family the best.
Why it matters: The Sparks are now searching for a new head coach while simultaneously restarting their roster rebuild around new GM Ariana Andonian, the pending retirement of franchise cornerstone Nneka Ogwumike, and an incoming first-round pick from the Plum trade — meaning the next coach inherits a roster in motion, not a settled team.
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