Azurá Stevens has delivered a remarkable season for the Los Angeles Sparks, reaching multiple career-highs in scoring, shooting, rebounds, and assists. Despite her impressive stats and growth, Stevens was excluded from this year’s <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/wnba/”>WNBA All-Star roster. Her consistent performance comes as the Sparks prepare for a game against the Dallas Wings, highlighting both her individual progress and the team’s aspirations. Meanwhile, Cameron Brink has made a notable return to the lineup, providing the Sparks with renewed energy and defensive presence.
Coach Lynne Roberts praises Stevens’ dramatic improvement
Los Angeles Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts, who assumed leadership this season after Curt Miller’s departure, has been closely observing Azurá Stevens’ development. Roberts expressed strong admiration for Stevens’ vast improvement compared to previous seasons, suggesting her work ethic and the Sparks’ system have contributed significantly to her rise.
“If she is not the top vote-getter for ‘Most Improved,’ something’s wrong,” Roberts said.
Stevens’ statistical leap is undeniable: she is currently averaging 14.6 points per game, shooting 51.4% from the field, and 42.3% from beyond the arc, while also pulling down 8.1 rebounds and dishing 2.0 assists each contest. This marks a substantial boost from last year’s numbers, where she posted 9.6 points, 39.9% shooting, 35% accuracy on three-pointers, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.
“She’s put the work in and she had a great season at ‘Unrivaled’ and she came in here ready to roll and she’s completely bought into what we’re doing,” said Roberts. “I think the system has helped her improve in terms of what the numbers have shown. But I really, truly and there are a lot of great players improving across the league. There is nobody in the league that is more improved than Azurá Stevens.”
Increased role and playing time fuel Stevens’ success
Stevens‘ enhanced output has coincided with increased playing time, rising from 24.7 minutes per game last season to 28.8 minutes this year. However, Roberts emphasized the difference lies not simply in opportunity gained from being on a new team, but in genuine improvement while remaining with the same squad.
“A lot of times players will change rosters. So it’s a different opportunity,” Roberts said. “If you go from coming off the bench and you’re going to a different team and now you’re starting, it doesn’t necessarily show improvement. That just shows bigger opportunity. Azura has been here, and her numbers from last year to this year have drastically improved. There is no comparison.”
Azurá Stevens discusses offseason work and health approach
Stevens attributes much of her advancement to intensive offseason training and health management, which allowed her to remain consistent and durable throughout the demanding WNBA schedule. She shared details about her preparation and conditioning that minimized injuries and helped maintain her physical readiness.
I’m lifting. I had a good offseason where I could get kind of stronger and really focusing on that side. I think that really helped. It’s nice just to be healthy. I was following the program that was focused on different muscle groups. I kept up with that routine. The trainers here did a good job with setting me up with the program. So I followed it while I was at ‘Unrivaled.’ We had all the tools there to be successful.
Strength development, in particular, was crucial for resilience.
Gaining strength is a huge thing in reducing injuries. You can’t always control that. But the stronger you are, it helps your body with being able to withstand the pounding and even just the amount of games that we’re playing this year and just the quick turnaround during any given week.
Synergy with teammates Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum enhances team dynamics
Part of Stevens’ success stems from solid chemistry with fellow players, especially Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum, who together form key scoring and rebounding combinations for the Sparks. Stevens noted the growth over multiple seasons playing alongside Hamby, emphasizing how familiarity and complementary skillsets improve team performance.
Stevens detailed the intuitive understanding they’ve developed on the court, citing their ability to navigate pick-and-roll situations and coordinate defensively as significant advantages.
She also highlighted the promising partnership with Kelsey Plum, marking their first season playing together but achieving immediate impact through effective screening and scoring facilitation.
Stevens elaborated on Plum’s threat level and how it influences defensive strategies against the Sparks.
Impact of Cameron Brink’s return to the team’s dynamics
Cameron Brink’s return has bolstered the Sparks’ defense and overall game impact. Stevens praised Brink’s defensive contributions and her gradual rhythm restoration post-injury, underlining the importance of her presence for stops and altering opponents’ shots.
Defensively, she’s done really, really well. Obviously, she’s getting her rhythm back. But I think she affects the game in so many different ways with her scoring. She’s so active and she’s so long. Even if she doesn’t always block shots, she’s able to impact shots very well. When you have someone like that, it really helps you defensively with being able to get stops.
Stevens also admired Brink’s commitment and perseverance throughout her injury recovery.
It’s been a long journey for her, but she’s been locked in every step of the way. It’s great to see that, especially in a younger player. You never know how they’re going to respond to injuries. But to see her day in and day out has been really cool.
Stevens embraces veteran leadership role with consistent play and guidance
As one of the more experienced players on the roster, Stevens takes pride in leading by example and supporting younger teammates with her knowledge. She values consistent effort and energy on the court as a form of mentorship, assisting teammates in understanding defensive assignments and game strategy.
I think just being consistent in the way that I play. I think sometimes that speaks louder than talking. So I’m just being consistent with the way that I play. I try to bring the same energy every day. I try to encourage them to stay locked into different things. The younger players have questions on how to play different coverages defensively. So I just try to give knowledge off of what I know. I’ve been in the league for eight years. So it’s not necessarily a specific thing. But I’m trying to share anything that I’ve learned along the way to them.
Experience and resilience shape Stevens’ approach to basketball and recognition
Reflecting on her journey marked by injuries, bench roles, and steady improvement, Stevens views these experiences as formative for her maturity and comfort on the court. She acknowledges that enduring various challenges has helped build her ability to face adversity calmly and resiliently.
It’s been a long journey and it’s made me the player that I am today. I’ve faced a lot of different things. I started up by coming off the bench. I’ve been in the running for 6th Man. It helps. It’s helped shape me who I am as a player. The older you get, you’re not as fazed by different situations because you have been through a lot of different ones. I think it helps with experience. When you’ve been in the league this long and have experienced different things, it helps you feel more comfortable when you’re out there playing.
Despite her significant contributions, Stevens acknowledges being underrated in the league but prefers to let her performance speak for itself rather than making statements.
Yeah, I think so, too. But I try to let my game do the talking. I’m not going to be a person that’s going to say a bunch of different stuff. Because I think you can say things, but showing it is more impactful. So I try to play my game and let everything fall where it falls.
Reaction to missing the All-Star team and future aspirations
Stevens expressed disappointment about not receiving an All-Star selection along with Dearica Hamby but is choosing to prioritize the team’s playoff goals over personal accolades.
Obviously, we felt like we should’ve had the opportunity. But it is what it is. I’m not super worried about that anymore. I’m just focused on the playoffs and us getting there. That’s in the past now. All-Star is over.
Regarding the Most Improved Player recognition and All-NBA considerations, Stevens remained grounded, focusing on controlling her performance rather than external voting outcomes.
That would be a huge accomplishment. I think I improved my game a lot. Everybody can see that. But I can’t control the voting. All I can control is my part and what I’m doing. That’s the same way I approached All-Star. I’m just going to play my game. If I’m picked, cool. If I’m not, that’s not my problem.
Team growth and playoff outlook as key season objectives
Stevens highlighted how the Sparks have matured as a unit after grappling with injuries earlier in the season and adapting to coaching changes. She emphasized defensive progress and collective focus as vital to their continued success.
I think we just matured as a group. We were learning Coach’s system offensively. But defensively, I think we’ve grown over the course of the season and are working to trend in that type of direction. Defensively, I’m able to get stops. I think that’s important. The playoffs are the goal, and we’re definitely locked in on that.
When assessed on the team‘s playoff potential, Stevens expressed confident determination and a commitment to taking each game at a time amidst close competition.
I think it’s there. It’s there for us to get it. There are a lot of teams neck and neck in the rankings. But we just have to focus on each game at a time. That’s what we’re doing.
As the season advances, the performances of Azurá Stevens and Cameron Brink are poised to become pivotal for the Sparks. Stevens’ surge signals her growing influence, while Brink’s return adds a critical boost to the team’s defense and depth. Both players’ contributions will be crucial as Los Angeles chases a playoff berth and seeks to build momentum heading into the postseason.