Last Updated on August 12, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The 2004 Los Angeles Sparks were led by Lisa Leslie, whose elite scoring, rebounding, and interior defense made her the focal point on both ends of the floor. Mwadi Mabika supplied perimeter scoring and playmaking, while Nikki Teasley orchestrated the offense as the primary facilitator. Los Angeles built its success on efficient inside scoring, strong rebounding, and disciplined defense, though inconsistent outside shooting limited the team’s offensive balance.

NO. PLAYER POS. HT. WT. BIRTH DATE COLLEGE
4 Mwadi Mabika G 5-11 165 July 27, 1976
5 Laura Macchi F 6-1 169 May 24, 1979
8 DeLisha Milton-Jones F 6-1 185 September 11, 1974 Florida
9 Lisa Leslie C 6-5 170 July 7, 1972 USC
10 Doneeka Lewis G 5-9 160 July 19, 1982 LSU
11 Teresa Weatherspoon G 5-8 161 December 8, 1965 Louisiana Tech
21 Tamecka Dixon G 5-9 148 December 14, 1975 Kansas
23 Monique Coker F-C 6-2 180 November 28, 1982 Old Dominion
30 Mfon Udoka F 6-0 187 June 16, 1976 DePaul
32 Christi Thomas F-C 6-4 198 August 14, 1982 Georgia
33 Raffaella Masciadri F 6-0 169 September 30, 1980
42 Nikki Teasley G 6-0 169 March 22, 1979 UNC
44 Tamika Whitmore F 6-2 215 June 5, 1977 Memphis

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
Lisa Leslie Starter/Star (1.1) 33.8 High (1.2) 17.6 9.9 2.6 4.4 90.82 Leslie remained the centerpiece on both ends, with Los Angeles repeatedly feeding her in the post while relying on her to erase mistakes defensively. Around the league she was viewed as the WNBA’s premier two-way force, and her rebounding and rim protection again defined the Sparks’ identity. (WNBA) WNBA MVP (2004), WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2004), All-WNBA First Team (2004), WNBA All-Star (2004), WNBA Peak Performer – Rebounding (2004)
Mwadi Mabika Starter/Star (1.1) 31.1 High (1.2) 14.4 3.9 2.4 1.3 57.55 Mabika operated as the primary perimeter scorer, giving the Sparks badly needed spacing with confident three-point shooting. Independent coverage regularly noted that her willingness to attack from the wing prevented defenses from loading every possession against Leslie in the paint. —
Nikki Teasley Starter/Star (1.1) 32.5 Medium (1.1) 9.9 3.4 6.1 1.4 50.82 Teasley controlled the pace more than the scoring, organizing the offense and creating clean entry passes into the post. Writers consistently praised her decision-making and viewed her as the player who connected Los Angeles’ stars with its role players. All-WNBA Second Team (2004), WNBA All-Star (2004)
DeLisha Milton-Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 31.8 Medium (1.1) 9.8 4.7 1.6 1.7 43.08 Milton-Jones spent much of the season filling whatever role the lineup demanded, from defending larger forwards to supplying energy on the glass. Injuries limited her availability, but analysts still regarded her versatility as one of the roster’s biggest strengths. —
Tamecka Dixon Starter/Star (1.1) 28.5 Medium (1.1) 9.7 3.4 3.5 1.1 42.35 Dixon embraced a complementary backcourt role, balancing secondary playmaking with dependable perimeter defense. Her steady approach helped stabilize the rotation without requiring high offensive volume. —
Tamika Whitmore Key Contributor (1.05) 17.5 Low (1.0) 6.2 3.1 0.5 0.5 21.63 Whitmore brought instant energy off the bench, attacking the offensive glass and finishing through contact. Although her minutes fluctuated, observers frequently pointed to her physicality as a valuable change of pace for the second unit. (reddit.com) —
Laura Macchi Key Contributor (1.05) 16.4 Low (1.0) 6.1 2.4 0.6 1.0 21.21 Macchi carved out minutes as a skilled reserve forward whose shooting stretched opposing defenses. Contemporary independent coverage was limited, though available reports highlighted her basketball IQ and offensive versatility after arriving from Europe. —
Christi Thomas Key Contributor (1.05) 17.6 Low (1.0) 5.3 3.9 0.7 1.1 23.10 Thomas earned trust through hustle rather than touches, supplying rebounding and interior defense whenever the Sparks expanded the frontcourt rotation. Coaches valued her willingness to do the physical work that rarely appeared in the box score. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2004)
Teresa Weatherspoon Bench (1.0) 8.6 Low (1.0) 0.5 0.9 0.9 0.4 5.40 Even in a limited reserve role, Weatherspoon’s leadership and defensive intensity remained widely respected. Independent reporting focused far more on her veteran influence and practice habits than on her modest statistical production. —
Doneeka Lewis Bench (1.0) 10.2 Low (1.0) 1.8 0.9 0.7 0.5 7.80 Lewis spent much of the season developing behind an experienced guard rotation. Contemporary independent reporting was limited, but her quickness and defensive potential were recurring themes whenever she entered the lineup. —
Raffaella Masciadri Bench (1.0) 6.8 Low (1.0) 1.6 0.3 0.5 0.1 5.00 Masciadri filled a depth role while adjusting to the WNBA game. Independent season coverage was limited because she remained outside the regular rotation for most of the year. —
Monique Coker Bench (1.0) 4.7 Low (1.0) 1.0 0.3 1.0 0.3 5.20 Coker appeared only briefly, primarily as developmental depth. Independent reporting on her regular-season role was limited due to the small sample of playing time. —
Mfon Udoka Bench (1.0) 6.3 Low (1.0) 0.3 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.60 Udoka saw only a handful of minutes during the season, leaving little contemporary independent coverage beyond her status as reserve frontcourt depth. —
Team Totals 98.3 38.8 25.6 14.4

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Lisa Leslie Starter/Star (1.1) 36.7 High (1.2) 11.3 8.7 0.7 3.0 62.30 Sacramento packed the paint and forced Leslie into one of the toughest playoff series of her career. Even while her scoring dipped, the Monarchs’ defensive scheme revolved around denying her touches, illustrating how much attention she continued to command on every possession. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA MVP (2004), WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2004), All-WNBA First Team (2004), WNBA All-Star (2004)
Mwadi Mabika Starter/Star (1.1) 35.7 High (1.2) 18.7 2.7 3.3 2.3 71.81 Mabika carried much of the perimeter scoring burden, attacking confidently from deep when Sacramento collapsed on Leslie. Although her shooting efficiency fluctuated, postseason coverage emphasized that Los Angeles needed her shot-making to stretch the Monarchs’ defense. (Los Angeles Times) —
Tamecka Dixon Starter/Star (1.1) 33.3 Medium (1.1) 10.3 5.7 3.0 0.7 47.67 Dixon settled into a secondary creator’s role, defending opposing guards while supplying timely offense. Analysts viewed her playoff value more through steady decision-making and defensive discipline than raw scoring totals. (Los Angeles Times) —
Christi Thomas Key Contributor (1.05) 33.3 Medium (1.1) 8.0 7.7 0.7 0.6 39.19 Thomas embraced the physical work inside, battling Sacramento’s frontcourt for rebounds and loose balls. Preview coverage identified her interior defense against Yolanda Griffith and DeMya Walker as one of the series’ swing factors. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA All-Rookie Team (2004)
Nikki Teasley Starter/Star (1.1) 29.3 Medium (1.1) 6.3 1.0 5.3 1.0 32.91 Teasley continued directing the offense despite heavy defensive pressure from Sacramento. Independent reports noted that when her jumper wasn’t falling, the Monarchs were able to collapse harder on Leslie and disrupt Los Angeles’ offensive rhythm. (Los Angeles Times) All-WNBA Second Team (2004), WNBA All-Star (2004)
Tamika Whitmore Key Contributor (1.05) 13.0 Low (1.0) 3.3 2.0 0.3 0.0 11.76 Whitmore supplied energetic reserve minutes, bringing physicality around the basket whenever the Sparks needed another rebounder. Independent postseason discussion of her individual play was limited because of her supporting role. —
Laura Macchi Bench (1.0) 15.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 4.0 1.0 1.0 16.00 Macchi saw only a brief postseason opportunity as a reserve forward. Contemporary independent coverage of her playoff contribution was limited, though she offered size and floor spacing off the bench. —
Doneeka Lewis Bench (1.0) 9.7 Low (1.0) 1.7 1.3 1.3 0.3 9.20 Lewis provided developmental depth in limited minutes. Independent playoff reporting on her role was sparse because the Sparks leaned heavily on veteran guards throughout the series. —
Teresa Weatherspoon Bench (1.0) 5.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 1.0 0.5 0.5 4.00 Weatherspoon’s biggest contribution came through veteran leadership and defensive communication rather than offensive production. Her postseason appearances were brief but reflected the trust placed in her experience. —
Raffaella Masciadri Bench (1.0) 2.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Masciadri made only a cameo appearance during the series. Independent contemporary coverage discussing her playoff role was limited due to the minimal playing time. —
Team Totals 58.6 34.8 18.8 12.4