Sarah Ashlee

Barker

With starting guard Odyssey Sims (personal) out Saturday, Barker will re-enter the starting lineup for Los Angeles. Barker has started five of the team’s 11 games thus far and could see even more minutes with veteran guard Julie Allemand (EuroBasket) also out of the lineup. Sims’ loss, in particular, will be a costly one for a Sparks team that holds a 4-7 record through the first quarter of the season. They’ll look to land back-to-back wins for the first time all season on Saturday.

Sims will miss her first game of the 2025 season due to personal reasons. The veteran’s absence will leave both a scoring and facilitating void in the Sparks’ starting backcourt, with Sims’ 10.5 points and 3.5 assists per game needing to be replaced. Rookie guard Sarah Ashlee Barker could see more minutes and increased opportunities with Sims sidelined.

Barker’s minutes were impactful even if they were limited. Just like during her college years at Alabama, she proved herself to have an exceptional spacial awareness, knowing exactly where and when to cut and move without the basketball. Kelsey Plum found Barker on one of these backdoor cuts as Barker gave the Sparks 10 minutes of less stagnant offense whenever she was on the floor. Could Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts have gone with Barker in the overtime period rather than Odyssey Sims? That’s just one of many questions that remains from how LA finished that game.

Jackson is available after missing the Sparks’ last two games for personal reasons. While the second-year forward may come off the bench in her first game back, rotation minutes will be available. Rookies Sarah Ashlee Barker and Liatu King will likely play less with Jackson available.

After missing two games due to a stint in the league’s concussion protocol, Jackson returned to action but then missed another two for personal reasons. The second-year forward participated in Tuesday’s practice and said after the session that she expects to play in Friday’s Commissioner’s Cup matchup. Sarah Ashlee Barker has been Jackson’s replacement in the starting lineup, with fellow rookie Liatu King picking up additional minutes off the bench. They’re the two players most impacted by Jackson’s availability.

While Sarah Ashlee Barker has been Rickea Jackson’s replacement in the Sparks starting lineup thus far, the rookie will come off the bench Sunday afternoon. Allemand will start, with Sparks coach Lynne Roberts citing a desire to give Barker some time off due to a long college season, which was followed by a quick transition into the WNBA. Barker is available, but the move to the bench limits an already-low fantasy ceiling.

Sunday’s game will be the second Jackson has missed for personal reasons, after missing two earlier this season due to the league’s concussion protocol. While Sarah Ashlee Barker has remained in the starting lineup, fellow rookie Liatu King has also seen her playing time increase, including starting the second half of Friday’s loss to the Aces. Both players will continue to log quality minutes with Jackson unavailable.

Tuesday night, Jackson returned from a concussion that sidelined her for two games, playing 12 minutes off the bench in a loss to the Dream. She’ll miss Friday’s game for personal reasons, which will free up additional minutes for Sarah Ashlee Barker. Despite remaining in the starting lineup, Barker only played 20 minutes on Tuesday.

Jackson is back after a stint in the league’s concussion protocol sidelined her for three games. Sarah Ashlee Barker was the second-year forward’s replacement in the starting lineup but will retain that role on Tuesday. Jackson’s minutes will be limited in her first game back, so she’ll come off the bench.

After missing three games due to a stint in the league’s concussion protocol, Jackson has a good chance of returning to the Sparks’ lineup on Tuesday. Rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker replaced Jackson in the starting lineup and was solid in Sunday’s win over the Sky. Jackson being cleared to play would bump Barker to the bench, and the rookie’s playing time will likely decrease.