LOS ANGELES — CP3 will be forever immortalized as a Los Angeles Sparks legend. Candace Parker, a former No. 1 pick, who spent the first 13 years of her illustrious WNBA career with the Sparks, will have her No. 3 jersey retired and hoisted into rafters at Crypto.com Arena Sunday afternoon during halftime of the Sparks vs. Sky game.
Parker’s individual accolades after Tennessee included being named MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season in 2008, a feat that has not since been duplicated. The two-time league MVP, was also named the league’s top player in 2013. However, her crowning achievement in Los Angeles was leading the Sparks to the 2016 title, after which she was named Finals MVP.
Although Parker, a 6-foot-4 forward, who averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 337 games with the Sparks, left the organization as a free agent ahead of the 2021 season, the legacy of three-time WNBA champion and Sparks franchise assist leader (1,331), still lives on this year’s team.
Azurá Stevens, who scored a season-high 23 points in the Sparks 85-75 victory at Indiana on Thursday, won the 2021 WNBA title alongside Parker on the Chicago Sky. The Sky will retire Parker’s jersey on August 25.
“Obviously, we want to honor her and win the game but its important for us to just take care of business and celebrate her along the way,” Stevens said.
Kelsey Plum, who scored 21 points in Thursday’s win over the Fever, won the 2023 WNBA title with Parker’s veteran leadership on the Las Vegas Aces. Parker retired after that season.
“I think Candace just even beyond basketball has just transformed the game,” Plum said. “The respect she commands just surpassed gender. That’s something that always inspired me, even now too just the way she does her broadcasting. She does it at the highest level. I think that’s she’s been tremendous for women and raising and moving the bar.”
The Sparks (5-11) return home for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Sky (4-11) after going 1-2 on a recent roadtrip, which concluded by outscoring the Fever 35-17 in the fourth quarter to pull off the come-from-behind victory.
Sparks coach Lynne Roberts wants to see her team keep that same Fever energy and execution against the Sky, who are coming off an 83-78 loss at Golden State on Friday. It will also be a redemption game after losing 97-86 at Chicago on Tuesday.
“We have to stack games,” Roberts said. “We have to be the same, connected. It’s a game of mistakes. We’re going to make mistakes, how do you respond to it.”
The Sparks and the Sky have split two games this season and are currently battling for the 10th position out of 13 teams in the league standings. Sky forward Angel Reese is averaging 11.7 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists. The Sky’s 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso, who scored a career-high 27 points against the Sparks on June 24, will miss Sunday’s game to play for the Brazilian National Team in the FIBA AmeriCup.
Sparks veteran guard Odyssey Sims returned to practice Saturday after being away from the team due to personal reasons for two weeks.
“I’m back,” Sims said. “I’ll be ready to play (Sunday).”
Sims, who started the team’s first 11 games and averaged 10.5 points and 3.5 assists, missed five games. The Sparks went 1-4 without Sims, who usually defends the opponent’s best guard.
Sims did not explain why she missed time, but shared why self-care is important as a professional athlete.
“It’s very important as athletes. We carry a lot, deal with a lot,” Sims explained. “You know, social media is big distraction, just what people say, get caught up in comments and all that kind of stuff. It definitely can be a little annoying but it’s always good to have a break. Take some time to yourself. Look yourself in the mirror and just kind of refocus.”
Coach Roberts echoed her unwavering support of Sims.
“I think in this world of sports sometimes and it is about performing,” Roberts said. “I think that you can forget that we’re all humans and life can be hard sometimes and I think as an organization we want to be the type of franchise that supports the whole person, not just the performance and (Odyssey) needed some time and we gave it to her. She’s better for it and that helps our team. … We want to be a team, a franchise that supports our people not just their performance.”
SKY (4-11) AT SPARKS (5-11)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m.
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV: ESPN
Odyssey Sims on her first practice back after not being with the team for two weeks due to personal reasons. Sims missed five games.
Sims told me she’s back and will be ready to play Sunday.
She later explained why self-care is important as a professional athlete.
Sims also… pic.twitter.com/3dP4BHI142
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 28, 2025
Azurá Stevens on wanting to honor Candace Parker with a win after Parker’s halftime LA Sparks jersey retirement ceremony.
Stevens and Parker won the 2021 WNBA title with the Chicago Sky. pic.twitter.com/wdsdeh8BNG
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 28, 2025
Kelsey Plum on Candace Parker’s legacy beyond basketball ahead of Parker’s LA Sparks jersey retirement ceremony.
Plum and Parker won the 2023 WNBA title with the Las Vegas Aces. pic.twitter.com/9XGkEdognd
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 28, 2025
Los Angeles Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts on Candace Parker’s jersey retirement ceremony.
Coach Roberts also broke down Sunday’s game against Angel Reese and Sky.
She also discussed what it means to have Odyssey Sims back after Sims took personal time away from the team. pic.twitter.com/mT5lJhbqsh
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) June 28, 2025
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