Sparks take No. 1 spot in 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery after loss to Connecticut Sun: Reports

Following their loss to the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, the LA Sparks have reportedly clinched the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft lottery. The Sparks were leading 58-55 by the end of the third quarter and fell 24-9 in the fourth to conclude with a 79-67 defeat.

According to WNBA rules, the four teams that don't make the playoffs will have a shot at securing the top pick in the next draft. Moreover, the team with the worst cumulative record in the past two seasons will have the highest odds of clinching the No. 1 pick.

After Sunday's loss, the LA Sparks have won just 24 games over the past two seasons. With five games left in the 2024 regular season, they have distinguished themselves as the worst-record team, with the Washington Mystics currently second-last with only 30 games won.

According to Silver Screen & Roll, Sparks will have a 44.2% chance for the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and are guaranteed a top-3 pick. Meanwhile, the second-spot team will have a 27.6% chance and the third-spot team will have a 17.8% chance. While the Sparks have a significantly greater chance, they still have to win the pick in the lottery that will take place later this year.

After Sunday's loss, the LA Sparks have slipped to a 7-28 record as they maintain the last spot in the league. They have won just one of their last 10 games and are dealing with a four-game losing streak.

According to Silver Screen & Roll, the Sparks' current 0.200 win percentage is the lowest they have had in their franchise history. However, there may be light at the end of the tunnel with their prospects of securing the top pick in yet another talented draft class ahead of next season.

Who is projected to be the No. 1 pick of the 2025 WNBA draft?

UConn star Page Bueckers is likely to be the first overall pick of the 2024 WNBA draft. She averaged 21.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists last year to lead the UConn Huskies to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.

The LA Sparks already got two top-five picks in the 2024 WNBA draft, with Cameron Brink (second) and Rickea Jackson (fourth). The addition of Bueckers to their core will add offensive explosiveness at the guard position, which is something that Sparks desperately lack currently.

With Brink slated to return healthy for the next season and Beuckers a likely addition to their roster, the LA Sparks may ignite a turnaround next season, similar to what Caitlin Clark's addition to the Indiana Fever had in this season.