Last Updated on August 12, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The 2013 Los Angeles Sparks were powered by Candace Parker, whose elite all-around production in scoring, rebounding, and playmaking made her the centerpiece of the team. Kristi Toliver complemented her with perimeter scoring and primary ball-handling, while Nneka Ogwumike provided efficient interior scoring and rebounding. Los Angeles combined efficient offense, strong rebounding, and balanced ball movement, though inconsistent three-point shooting and turnovers occasionally limited the team’s offensive consistency.

NO. PLAYER POS. HT. WT. BIRTH DATE COLLEGE
0 Alana Beard G-F 5-11 160 May 14, 1982 Duke
1 A’dia Mathies G 5-9 May 18, 1991 Kentucky
3 Candace Parker F-C 6-4 184 April 19, 1986 Tennessee
6 Jenna O’Hea F 6-1 174 June 6, 1987
10 Lindsey Harding G 5-8 139 June 12, 1984 Duke
13 Farhiya Abdi F 6-2 180 May 31, 1992
16 Ebony Hoffman F 6-2 215 August 27, 1982 USC
20 Kristi Toliver G 5-7 130 January 27, 1987 Maryland
25 Marissa Coleman G-F 6-1 160 January 4, 1987 Maryland
30 Nneka Ogwumike F 6-2 190 July 2, 1990 Stanford
42 Jantel Lavender F 6-4 185 November 12, 1988 Ohio State

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Candace Parker Starter/Star [1.1] 28.7 High [1.2] 17.9 8.7 3.8 3.1 78.0 Parker remained the centerpiece of Los Angeles’ attack, functioning as a point-forward who could score inside, facilitate, and protect the rim. Her 2013 regular season was defined by versatility, with analysts frequently pointing to her ability to impact possessions even when she was not the primary scorer. WNBA All-Star (2013); All-WNBA First Team (2013)
Nneka Ogwumike Starter/Star [1.1] 25.8 Medium [1.1] 14.6 7.6 1.3 2.5 65.6 Ogwumike developed into one of the league’s most efficient interior threats, using quickness and relentless rebounding to pressure defenses. Writers covering the Sparks highlighted how her athleticism gave Los Angeles a second frontcourt weapon who could run, defend, and finish plays at a high rate. WNBA All-Star (2013); All-WNBA Second Team (2013)
Kristi Toliver Starter/Star [1.1] 30.0 Medium [1.1] 14.1 2.6 3.4 1.5 53.6 Toliver served as the primary perimeter creator, combining three-point shooting with pick-and-roll playmaking. After her breakout 2012 season, opponents paid closer attention to her range, but she remained a key offensive initiator who opened space for Parker and Ogwumike. WNBA All-Star (2013)
Lindsey Harding Starter/Star [1.1] 30.6 Medium [1.1] 10.9 2.7 5.2 1.4 44.2 Harding brought traditional point guard skills to the rotation, controlling tempo and creating opportunities for teammates. Her role centered on defensive pressure, ball distribution, and keeping the offense organized around Los Angeles’ frontcourt stars. —
Alana Beard Starter/Star [1.1] 22.0 Low [1.0] 6.2 2.3 1.4 1.6 25.3 Beard remained one of the Sparks’ most trusted perimeter defenders, taking difficult assignments while providing efficient secondary offense. Her value came from disrupting opposing wings and making winning plays without needing a large offensive role. WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2013)
Jantel Lavender Key Contributor [1.05] 16.8 Low [1.0] 7.2 4.5 0.5 1.2 27.1 Lavender gave Los Angeles dependable bench scoring and interior depth, using strong positioning and soft touch around the basket. Her production helped stabilize the frontcourt whenever Parker or Ogwumike needed rest. —
Marissa Coleman Bench [1.0] 17.5 Low [1.0] 4.6 2.9 1.0 0.8 18.6 Coleman filled a versatile reserve wing role, contributing through rebounding, defense, and occasional perimeter shooting. She was often used as a connective player who could fit alongside higher-usage scorers. —
Jenna O’Hea Bench [1.0] 13.7 Low [1.0] 3.0 1.7 1.1 0.5 12.6 O’Hea provided spacing and smart off-ball movement in limited minutes. Her shooting ability allowed the Sparks to maintain offensive balance when lineups shifted away from their primary creators. —
Ebony Hoffman Bench [1.0] 12.5 Low [1.0] 3.1 1.9 1.0 0.8 13.6 Hoffman offered veteran frontcourt depth, bringing physical defense and rebounding effort. Her role was primarily situational as Los Angeles relied heavily on its younger star forwards. —
A’dia Mathies Bench [1.0] 9.2 Low [1.0] 2.3 0.7 0.8 0.4 8.4 Mathies spent her rookie season adjusting to the professional game, providing perimeter depth and defensive energy. Her limited minutes reflected a crowded wing rotation featuring established veterans. —
Farhiya Abdi Bench [1.0] 7.2 Low [1.0] 2.2 0.7 0.5 0.2 7.2 Abdi saw developmental minutes as a young forward learning the pace and physicality of the WNBA. Her role focused on gaining experience and contributing energy in short appearances. —
Totals — — — 86.3 33.5 19.8 13.8 354.2 The 2013 Sparks were built around a dominant frontcourt pairing, with Parker and Ogwumike providing interior scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility. Strong guard play from Harding and Toliver gave the roster balance by adding creation and perimeter spacing. —

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Candace Parker Starter/Star [1.1] 37.0 High [1.2] 25.7 8.7 1.3 2.0 99.5 Parker carried the Sparks’ postseason offense through dominant interior scoring and physical rebounding, repeatedly attacking mismatches in the half court. Her ability to create from the post and face-up areas remained the foundation of Los Angeles’ playoff approach, even as opponents focused their game plans around slowing her down. WNBA MVP (2013); All-WNBA First Team (2013)
Nneka Ogwumike Starter/Star [1.1] 30.3 Medium [1.1] 12.0 11.7 1.0 0.7 56.0 Ogwumike provided relentless energy as a second interior force, impacting games through offensive rebounding, defensive mobility, and finishing around the rim. Her postseason role showed the value of pairing her athleticism with Parker’s skill set, creating constant pressure on opposing frontcourts. WNBA All-Star (2013); All-WNBA Second Team (2013)
Lindsey Harding Starter/Star [1.1] 33.0 Medium [1.1] 11.7 3.0 3.3 0.3 40.3 Harding handled major ball-handling duties and helped organize the offense against playoff pressure. Her value came from controlling tempo, defending opposing guards, and creating easier opportunities for a frontcourt-heavy lineup. —
Alana Beard Starter/Star [1.1] 31.0 Low [1.0] 9.0 4.3 0.3 1.7 33.5 Beard remained the defensive tone-setter on the perimeter, taking difficult assignments while contributing through rebounding and toughness. In the postseason, her ability to disrupt opposing wings allowed Los Angeles to stay competitive in physical matchups. WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2013)
Kristi Toliver Starter/Star [1.1] 30.3 Medium [1.1] 10.7 4.0 3.0 2.3 44.0 Toliver continued as the team’s perimeter creator, but playoff defenses made scoring more difficult by aggressively contesting her shooting opportunities. She still provided value through ball handling, playmaking, and defensive activity from the guard position. WNBA All-Star (2013)
Marissa Coleman Bench [1.0] 17.0 Low [1.0] 3.3 1.3 1.0 1.6 14.4 Coleman gave the Sparks useful reserve wing minutes, bringing defensive effort and hustle plays rather than high-volume offense. Her role was to maintain lineup stability when the starters needed rest. —
Jantel Lavender Bench [1.0] 11.7 Low [1.0] 3.7 2.3 0.0 0.0 12.0 Lavender provided efficient interior scoring in short playoff stretches, using her size and touch around the basket. With Parker and Ogwumike handling most frontcourt responsibilities, her opportunities were limited but productive. —
Jenna O’Hea Bench [1.0] 12.0 Low [1.0] 3.0 1.0 1.0 0.5 11.0 O’Hea served as a reserve perimeter option, spacing the floor and moving the ball without demanding touches. Her minutes reflected Los Angeles’ preference for its established creators during postseason play. —
Ebony Hoffman Bench [1.0] 3.0 Low [1.0] 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Hoffman appeared only briefly in the postseason rotation, with the Sparks relying primarily on Parker, Ogwumike, and their main veteran frontcourt options. —
A’dia Mathies Bench [1.0] 3.0 Low [1.0] 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Mathies received limited playoff exposure as a young perimeter player behind a veteran-heavy guard rotation. Her role was primarily developmental during the postseason run. —
Totals — — — 79.1 32.3 9.9 9.1 310.7 Los Angeles’ playoff formula revolved around Candace Parker’s all-around dominance, supported by Ogwumike’s rebounding presence and a veteran perimeter group. The rotation relied heavily on defensive versatility and frontcourt control. —