Los Angeles Sparks star Julie Allemand told the Mirror U.S. Sports that she believes the team will turn things around after the WNBA All-Star Break, identifying themselves as a brand new team
18:41 ET, 22 Jul 2025Updated 21:30 ET, 22 Jul 2025
LOS ANGELES – The second half of the 2025 WNBA season is underway, and teams are gearing up for either a run to the playoffs or for the 2026 draft lottery. However, the Los Angeles Sparks find themselves in “No Man’s Land”: Talented enough not to get a high draft pick and also inconsistent enough not to get a playoff spot.
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Throughout the first half of the season, the Sparks have been unable to find any sort of consistency. The team constantly looks for ways to get proper production on both ends of the floor night in and night out. This could be due to a multitude of factors, including the constant reshuffling of the roster, with pieces like Julie Vanloo being added just before the All-Star Break.
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Considering how inconsistent Los Angeles has been this season, having two separate three-game losing streaks and a four-game losing streak before embarking on their current two-game winning streak coming out of the All-Star Break, it begs the question of what type of team fans will see in the final stretch.
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Sparks star Julie Allemand spoke exclusively to Mirror U.S. Sports on Los Angeles’ lack of identity and what to expect. “I think after the All-Star Break, it’s going to be great because hopefully, everybody will be back,” she said before the Sparks’ 92-88 win over the Connecticut Sun. “We’re going to have a healthy team.
“We can finally build up something because when you have a lot of injuries, the roster changes every time. We had a lot of different people in the team. We know that now this is our team, and we’re going to work on it. We can already see yesterday during the practice, it was so much better. We could see it. The energy is different.
“I think that we’re just going to keep growing up and building something as a team. I think that after the All-Star Break, people will not be ready for us. I feel like we’re going to be another team. I really think that we can do something great. We have what, still 24 games to play?
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“It’s still a lot, so we still can do something because I know now when you look at the standings, you’re like, ‘Oh, L.A. is almost last.’ We still can do something. I feel like with the team we have right now, if we keep working, we’re going to be great.”
Part of what makes Allemand so confident in the Sparks’ turning things around this season is the return of star forward Cameron Brink. Just 15 games into her rookie season, Brink tore her ACL and has been out recovering from that injury. The Sparks are making sure they don’t rush their star.
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Though Los Angeles has not announced an exact return date, Brink is expected to return to action in the next handful of weeks as the Sparks potentially fight for a playoff spot. With the 23-year-old on the brink of returning, Allemand noted how she and the rest of the team are itching to see the star back in action.
“Just to have the feeling that now she’s back on the court and she will almost be back with us, it’s bringing a lot of energy because I know how great she is and how good she’s going to be for this team,” the 29-year-old added.
“So I’m really excited and looking forward to see her on the court because I know she’s been waiting for it, but a little more days of patience, and then we’re going to have her, and it’s going to be amazing.”
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In the end, Allemand understands that only the players and coaches in the locker room can turn things around this season. That’s why having a presence like Vanloo, whom Allemand played with on the Belgian national team during EuroBasket, will help her and the Sparks as a whole moving forward.
“Having Julie here is also helping me a lot,” Allemand continued. “It was tough for me when I was here with the Sparks before EuroBasket because I came back from injury and I needed some time. I was happy to be with the national team because I found back my rhythm. I was feeling much better on the court.”
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Allemand noted that playing with Vanloo is “something special” as they are similar players with specific playstyles. She added: “Julie is shooting well, 3s. She likes to play with pace. Her pace is so good. I think we just want to be fast on the court. We just want to play for each other. That’s something that we love to do, especially with Belgium.”
The 29-year-old also admitted that she believes Los Angeles could do a better job of moving the ball and maintaining the energy needed to win.
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This makes her countrymate the perfect complement to the Sparks’ system, especially with the Sparks looking to snag a playoff spot in the final stretch.
“I think she’s going to be great in this team. Just to have her here is helping me on the court but also outside of the court. She’s helping me a lot. When she needs anything, she can count on me too. I don’t know how to explain, but when you have someone from your country playing overseas, it’s helping you,” Allemand concluded.
Words can only do so much and only time will tell if Los Angeles is a playoff presence or lottery-bound.
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