The Los Angeles Sparks have lost five games in a row after their defeat by Phoenix Mercury 86-82 at their Crypto Arena home in downtown Los Angeles, California. The Wednesday July 22nd, 2026, afternoon game drew a big crowd, including many cheering children for Kids Day. As a feminist writer, it is important for Chicano Perspectives to cover women’s sports so young Chicanas may learn of successful women who are part of their community.

The WNBA women, including Sparks’ Dearica Hamby, Nneka Ogwumike, Rae Burrell and Mercury’s Alysha Thomas, Kahleah Copper, and Monique Akoa Makani played a very entertaining and competitive game. The disappointment from the loss was apparent on the faces of Hamby and Burrell at the postgame press conference as their heads hung low. And on the pressure this loss could have created for the team, Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts said, “Pressure is a privilege. It means people care and want us to do well.” She was right, the cheering crowd and inquisitive reporters seemed to really care.

The game was close throughout, with Hamby missing late free throws and a layup that would have tied the game at 84 as the 4th quarter was nearing the end. I write about today’s game in recognition of the growth and development of the WNBA as indicated by the increase in salary cap for its teams from $1,507,100 in 2025 to $7,000,000 this year. And I write in defense of this league, who is often joked about by male fans, because the league is providing economic opportunities to women of our community while giving fans a fun atmosphere to come together. I really enjoyed the hundreds of cheering and cheerful children who came out for Kids Day.