Player Grades: Sparks finally win a game

The Sparks broke their losing streak but dropped a game immediately after against the Atlanta Dream last week. Let’s hand out some grades.

The Sparks snapped their seven-game losing streak by beating the New York Liberty, but they quickly returned to the loss column by dropping a game against the Atlanta Dream on the road.

Now, the Sparks enter the last month of regular season action. While they still technically have a chance of reaching the playoffs, it's only a matter of time before they are officially eliminated from postseason play. Missing the playoffs again will extend the drought to a franchise-high four years.

However, there are still basketball games to discuss, so let's grade their performances. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A "B" grade represents the average performance for that player.

Rickea Jackson

35.7 minutes, 16 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.5 steals, 12-27 FG, 5-10 3PT, 3-3 FT, -9

Jackson continues her strong play, scoring 16 points a game, shooting 50% from 3-point range and knocking down her free throw shots. Add in a few steals and she is now making the case as one of the best rookies in the league.

Grade: A

Dearica Hamby

29.2 minutes, 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.5 steals, 1 block, 11-22 FG, 0-2 3PT, 4-8 FT, -18

Hamby had a good week, flirting with a double-double in both games. She's been the most consistent Spark all season and looks to finish the year that way. Her numbers all across the board are career highs. Expect Hamby to continue being the leader of this team and one of the bright spots in all games, win or lose.

Grade: B

Rae Burrell

20.5 minutes, 11.5 points, 4 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, 9-13 FG, 3-5 3PT, 2-5 FT, +5

I asked for more Burrell minutes last week, and I've gotten them. Lo and behold, she can play some good basketball. She scored double-digit points on good efficiency and was a plus-five on the court. Please give Burrell more run the rest of the way.

Grade: B+

Odyssey Sims

34 minutes, 11 points, 1.5 rebound, 6.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 7-19 FG, 0-5 3PT, 8-8 FT, -3

Sims is on her third and final seven-day contract. If the Sparks want her to remain beyond that, they must sign her for the rest of the season. Given how well she's played, they will likely do that, and if not, Sims has more than shown that she belongs in the WNBA.

Grade: B

Li Yueru

16.6 minutes, 9 points, 3.5 rebound, 1.5 steals, 6-12 FG, 0-1 3PT, 6-7 FT, -2

It was an okay week for Yueru. She scored fine but didn't pass the ball well and had a couple of rough spots defensively. Now the sole backup big she'll continue to get a few shifts a game, but I hope we get better games from her in September.

Grade: C

Stephanie Talbot

27.1 minutes, 4.5 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 3-9 FG, 0-4 3PT, 3-4 FT, -16

I'm not thrilled with the pair of games we got from Talbot this past week. Respectable defensively but rough offensively and not a net positive on the floor with many lineups.

Grade: C-

Azurà Stevens

15.1 minutes, 6.0 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 0.5 blocks, 5-15 FG, 1-7 3PT, 1-1 FT, -17

It is a small sample size, of course, but it was a down week for Stevens. I'm waiting for the money where she consistently becomes a scorer, a player who can slash to the basket and score.

It's been seven years now; I should probably stop waiting.

Grade: C

Kia Nurse

12.7 minutes, 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1 steal, 3-7 FG, 2-6 3PT, +10

Nurse continues to be a pro and a solid vet you can count on. Never too high never too low, just fine. However, this team needs more to win, so her play doesn't shine with the currently available players.

Grade: B-

Crystal Dangerfield, Zia Cooke, Aari McDonald

This trio didn't play enough to warrant a grade. Dangerfield has played a lot less recently, Cooke playing at all is a plus for her and McDonald returned for the Dream game after missing the past seven games.

Moving forward, the Sparks need to give more time to Cooke and McDonald and see how they fit in this franchise's plans.

Curt Miller

When you beat the best team in the league, that's a good week. Sure, the Liberty were missing Jonquel Jones, but even so, it's a quality win in a season that's been absent from them.

The Atlanta Dream loss was bad, but so is the life of a young team; they win games that boggle your mind and get embarrassed in moments they shouldn't.

Grade: B

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.