It was a rough week for the Sparks as they failed to win any games.

The Sparks had two games this weekend, and neither resulted in a positive outcome. The Aces blew them out 96-81 on Friday, and on Sunday, they lost 85-80 against the Mercury.

Los Angeles is now 2-6 on the season, which is exactly the same record they had last year after eight games.

While the Sparks are losing, that doesn’t mean certain players aren’t finding success.

So, let’s grade this week’s performances. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

Kelsey Plum

34.2 minutes, 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1 steal, 10-38 FG, 3-17 3PT, 9-9 FT, -31

This was the worst pair of games Plum has had as a Spark. Against her former team, the Aces, she struggled, scoring 17 points on 6-19 shooting.

In the following game, she didn’t fare much better, going 4-19 from the field for 15 points. This team will only go as far as Plum takes them, and performances like these all but guarantee L.A. losses.

Grade: C

Dearica Hamby

31.1 minutes, 14.5 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 11-23 FG, 0-3 3PT, 7-15 FT, -22

Hamby could’ve been a more efficient scorer, but overall, she was solid this week. At this point, you can pencil her in for a double-double every night, and even in defeat, Hamby was able to produce at a high level.

She has adapted well to Plum being the primary scorer and hasn’t let it interrupt her quality of play.

Grade: B

Azurá Stevens

24.5 minutes, 7.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 7-21 FG, 1-11 3PT, -23

When Stevens is playing at her best, the Sparks are hard to beat. So, it’s no surprise she had a rough week, and so did Los Angeles.

She went 1-11 from 3-point range across two games and failed to ever get to the line. Struggling from beyond the arc and not generating contact in the paint is an awful combination.

Hopefully, the start of June will be better than the end of May was for Stevens.

Grade: C-

Odyssey Sims

36.6 minutes, 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3 assists, 0.5 steals, 16-22 FG, 3-7 3PT, 12-14 FT, -21

When Sims is on a hot streak she is one of the most electrifying players in the WNBA. This week, the Sparks received a heavy dose of elite play from Sims, which is the main reason they had a chance to beat the Mercury on Sunday.

She ended the game with 32 points and was one of the only Sparks players who were able to score in the second half.

Sims won’t always play at this level, but she can reach these heights and few players are ever able to do so. Next time she performs this well, hopefully the Sparks find a way to turn it into a win.

Grade: A+

Sarah Ashlee Barker

16 minutes, 4.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1 steal, 0.5 blocks, 3-10 FG, 3-8 3PT, -5

Barker lost her starting spot this week and that decision by coach Lynne Roberts was justified. She struggles with scoring, and her defense leaves much to be desired.

Eventually, she may be able to handle a larger role, but right now, starting even with key players out is asking a bit too much from Barker.

Ideally, she plays around ten minutes a game and no more than that until she demonstrates a reason to get more playing time.

Grade: C-

Julie Allemand

26 minutes, 3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5 assists, 0.5 steals, 2-5 FG, 2-5 3PT, -2

This was the best week Allemand has had as a Spark. As a guard, she distributed the ball well and only took 3-pointers, going 2-5 from deep.

Since returning from her injury, Allemand appears to be improving and becoming more comfortable with each game.

Grade: C

Mercedes Russell

11.4 minutes, 4 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 3-5 FG, 2-2 FT, +2

Russell played more this week than usual and was serviceable. She didn’t shine during these minutes, but she was a respectable big that Roberts could go to for a couple of shifts.

Grade: C

Emma Cannon

13 minutes, 4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1 steal, 3-11 FG, 2-7 3PT, 1-2 FT, +3

Similar to Russell, Cannon played for longer stretches this week. During those minutes, she struggled from the field shooting 3-11, but the Sparks were a +3 with her on the floor. If Los Angeles needs to play Cannon this much while players like Rickea Jackson are out, they can tread water during those minutes.

Grade: C+

Liatu King

King only played in one game, so she will not be getting a grade this week.

Lynne Roberts

The Sparks fell apart in the second half against the Mercury, and that has to fall on coaching to some extent. Los Angeles was up by 13 entering the third quarter and scored a woeful nine points in that period.

That’s an unacceptable performance at home, especially for a team desperate for wins.

Yes, the Sparks are going through a coaching change and some grace is needed, but a 2-6 record isn’t great, no matter how you try to contextualize or rationalize it.

Grade: C

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.