LOS ANGELES — It is now or never for the Sparks, who must win their final three games if they want a chance to avoid missing the playoffs for a fifth straight season.

The Sparks, who are in ninth place and two games behind the Seattle Storm for the league’s eighth and final playoff spot, will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to Dallas Sunday at home. They must also defeat the Mercury in Phoenix on Sept. 9 and the Las Vegas Aces on Sept. 11 at Crypto.com Arena.

They are 3-0 against the Wings this season, but the last two victories have come by only one point, including an 81-80 win that saw rookie guard Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 pick from UConn in the 2025 draft, drop a career-high 44 points Aug. 20 at Crypto.com Arena.

“It’s never over until it’s over with this group,

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