Sparks news: Dearica Hamby upgraded on LA’s injury report for Valkyries clash

Dearica Hamby, the Los Angeles Sparks' veteran forward, has been upgraded to probable on the team's injury report for their upcoming game against the Golden State Valkyries. The match will serve as Nneka Ogwumike's retirement send-off and a celebration of the franchise's 2016 WNBA championship. Hamby, who has been an integral part of the Sparks since her acquisition in 2023, has played every game for the past three seasons.

She had missed her first game this season following a loss against the Portland Fire but her upgraded status suggests she will be back on the court. However, the Sparks will still be without Cameron Brink and Aaliyah Nye, both of whom are sidelined for the remainder of the season. Hamby's career has been impressive since joining the Sparks; she was selected to her third All-Star game during her second season and was named the league's Most Improved Player during her second stint.

Last season, she averaged 18.4 points and shot 57.2 percent, while this season she has been averaging 14.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 steals with shooting splits of 55.2 percent from the field, 23.7 percent from the three-point line, and 68.3 percent from the free-throw line.