WNBA Coach Reunites With Former Player Before Indiana Fever Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Levi M. Dombro | Last updated Aug 3, 2025 1:51 PM ET

The Los Angeles Sparks currently have a 12-15 record during the 2025 WNBA season. They'll carry this mark into their next contest, which will be a Tuesday evening matchup against the 16-12 Indiana Fever at home in Crypto.com Arena.

Los Angeles has won six of its last seven games, including a 108-106 win in double-overtime against the 16-12 Seattle Storm on Friday. The Sparks also just got a boost from former No. 2 overall pick Cameron Brink as she returned to the lineup, averaging 6.0 points and 2.0 blocks.

On Sunday, the Sparks made another roster move, signing 6-foot-2 free agent forward Alissa Pili.

Welcome to LA, Alissa Pili!

https://t.co/mZ1dLcynC9 pic.twitter.com/vIolxvzdjl
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) August 3, 2025

LA Sparks Coach Lynne Roberts Reunites With Former College Player Alissa Pili

Pili came to Los Angeles from the Minnesota Lynx, where she was drafted No. 8 overall during the 2024 WNBA Draft. She played 36 games for the Lynx in two years, averaging 2.2 points and 1.2 rebounds per game after an illustrious college career at USC and Utah.

While at Utah, she played under current Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts for two seasons, earning All-American and All-Pac 12 honors in both campaigns. Now, the two are reunited in Los Angeles after Pili was waived by Minnesota in early July.

The Sparks have a strong frontcourt already with Brink, Dearica Hamby and Azura Stevens, the latter two of whom are both averaging more than 14.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Pili will have her work cut out for her if she wants to find a role on the court.

Reunited. @SparksCoachRob x @MarchMadnessWBB pic.twitter.com/dNV6UTweYF
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) August 3, 2025

Sparks Need Win Against Fever to Inch Closer to WNBA Playoff Berth

With a looming matchup against the Fever on Tuesday, it is critical for the Sparks to earn a win. They currently sit in 10th place in the WNBA standings, which means they would not make the playoffs if the season ended today.

The Fever are 3.5 games ahead of Los Angeles in the standings, so a win would help the Sparks' playoff chances. They have beaten Indiana in both of their matchups this season, so a win on Tuesday would clinch the season series and potentially pay dividends in a tiebreaker scenario down the road.

Pili has a few days to get integrated with the team before taking the floor in a real game. As the Sparks attempt to make a playoff push, it will take everyone on the roster, and Pili's familiarity with Coach Roberts could help the team down the stretch of the WNBA season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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