Julie Vanloo Delivers a Statement Game, but Sparks Still Can’t Crack the Code

Julie Vanlool waits to sink another three as Los Angeles Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts and spectators look on. Photo by Jackie Rae

Children packed into Crypto Arena on Thursday afternoon, hoping for an upset. The Los Angeles Sparks faced the Minnesota Lynx for the fourth time on Thursday in front of a packed house that witnessed the best team in the league add a 91-82 win to their record.

For 12 minutes, the Sparks looked like the team coach Lynne Roberts envisions when she talks about peaking in August. The team had a 15-7 lead early in the first quarter. But basketball is a 40-minute game, and the Lynx, the deeper, more seasoned team, gradually imposed their will. 

“There's no reason why we shouldn't be locked in," Roberts said heading into the matchup. “We've got to have some urgency to us at this stage.”

That urgency was most evident in Julie Vanloo. Fresh off helping Belgium capture the EuroBasket Women's tournament, the 32-year-old point guard endured an 18-hour flight to rejoin the Golden State Valkyries, only to be waived before she could unpack her bags. She discussed the emotional toll after the game.

"It's been a rough week for me," Vanloo admitted. "First of all, I'm so super grateful to be here. KP told me to shoot the ball like how you kill us when we play Team USA."

Vanloo put up 15 points going 5-of-7 from beyond the arc in just 17 minutes—a performance that felt both like vindication and a glimpse of what the Sparks could become with the right pieces clicking.

Forward Emma Cannon sees those pieces beginning to fit together, even in defeat. Her faith in Roberts remains unshaken despite the mounting losses. "I feel like she's doing a great job," Cannon said. "Coming from college, and then not having the season number-wise that she wants, but knows that she has such good players and just continues to put positivity into us and staying strong.”

The Lynx, meanwhile, demonstrated why they're built for sustained success. Natasha Hiedeman came off the bench to lead all scorers with 18 points, embodying the depth that separates good teams from great ones. While Kelsey Plum delivered her usual excellence with 17 points and 11 assists, it was Minnesota's collective effort that ultimately overwhelmed Los Angeles.

The Sparks will get another chance to prove Roberts' peaking August theory on Sunday when they host the Connecticut Sun, who sit in last place at 3-16. But in a league where every game matters and playoff positioning can shift with a single hot streak, the Sparks need to play with a sense of urgency if they plan to make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.