- This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Los Angeles (3-3) at Washington (3-3)
- When: May 29 2026, 7:30 PM
- Where: CareFirst Arena, Washington, DC, USA
- TV: ION
Los Angeles vs Washington Preview & Prediction
Spread: Washington -2.5
Moneyline: Washington (-140)
Total: 166.0
Los Angeles Sparks: Offensive Survival Mode
The Sparks finally looked alive offensively and then basketball karma immediately showed up carrying a baseball bat.
Kelsey Plum sprained her ankle in practice after dropping 38 points against Las Vegas because apparently the basketball gods saw Los Angeles scoring over 95 points four straight games and decided everybody needed to calm down immediately.
That injury is brutal because Plum has basically been operating like a human flamethrower this season. She leads the WNBA with 26.8 points per game and has already scored at least 25 points five different times. The Sparks offense without her suddenly feels like taking the batteries out of a remote control and still aggressively pressing buttons hoping something works.
The good news is Dearica Hamby continues playing outstanding basketball. Hamby is averaging 18.5 points and doing a little bit of everything offensively. Nneka Ogwumike could also return after missing the last game, which would help tremendously because asking the Sparks to replace Plum’s scoring by committee is basically asking a group project to function properly.
Historically, that never ends well.
Los Angeles still deserves respect because this team suddenly discovered offense after looking completely lost early in the season. Coach Lynne Roberts has the Sparks playing significantly tougher lately, and they are no longer folding when games become chaotic.
Still, life without Plum changes everything.
Washington Mystics: Ugly Basketball Wins
Meanwhile, Washington quietly keeps turning games into ugly defensive rock fights like a team fully aware nobody wants to watch 78-64 basketball except gamblers sweating unders.
The Mystics just bullied Seattle defensively Wednesday, holding the Storm below 35 percent shooting while proving once again this team absolutely loves dragging opponents into miserable half-court basketball.
And honestly? It works.
Shakira Austin dominated with 18 points and 13 rebounds while Sonia Citron somehow scored only seven points and Washington still won comfortably. That’s important because it shows the Mystics are finally getting balanced production instead of relying on one scorer to save the offense every night.
Michaela Onyenwere also returned from injury and immediately chipped in 14 points, which adds much-needed depth for a Washington team still figuring itself out offensively.
The funniest part of this matchup is the total sitting at 166 after Los Angeles spent the last week playing basketball games that looked like NBA All-Star Weekend with less defense and more chaos.
Now they run into Washington’s defense without their leading scorer.
Good luck with that.
The Mystics also have a huge scheduling advantage. Washington enters healthier, fresher, and significantly more complete offensively than a Sparks team suddenly scrambling to replace nearly 27 points per game.
LVSB Final Score Prediction
The Sparks fight hard early before eventually realizing replacing Kelsey Plum is slightly harder than replacing ketchup at a barbecue.
Washington slows the pace, dominates defensively, and grinds out another ugly win.
Final Score: Mystics 84, Sparks 76
Lean: Washington -2.5
Total: Under 166.0
- WNBA Playoffs Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
