Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The 2009 Los Angeles Sparks relied on Candace Parker and Tina Thompson as their primary scoring threats, combining versatile frontcourt production with strong rebounding and interior defense. Ticha Penicheiro orchestrated the offense through elite playmaking, while DeLisha Milton-Jones added balanced scoring and defensive versatility. Los Angeles paired strong rebounding, efficient ball movement, and defensive activity with balanced scoring, though inconsistent perimeter shooting occasionally limited the offense.

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) 32.6 High (1.2) 13.1 9.8 2.6 2.7 66.79 Parker continued developing as a unique point-forward weapon, combining elite rebounding with interior scoring and defensive versatility. Her ability to initiate offense, protect the rim, and defend multiple positions made her the central matchup problem for opponents throughout the regular season. WNBA Rookie of the Year (2008); WNBA MVP (2008); WNBA All-Star (2009); All-WNBA First Team (2009); Olympic Gold Medal (2008)
Lisa Leslie Starter/Star (1.1) 27.7 High (1.2) 15.4 6.6 2.1 2.1 56.50 Leslie remained a dominant interior scorer and defensive presence despite entering the later stages of her career. Her efficient post scoring and ability to command defensive attention gave the Sparks a reliable half-court option alongside Parker’s versatility. WNBA All-Star (2009); All-WNBA Second Team (2009); Olympic Gold Medal (2008)
Tina Thompson Starter/Star (1.1) 34.8 Medium (1.1) 13.0 5.9 2.3 1.5 52.49 Thompson provided veteran scoring from the forward position, using her shooting range to stretch defenses and create space for Los Angeles’ interior players. Her three-point shooting remained an important part of the offensive structure, especially in lineups featuring multiple post threats. WNBA All-Star (2009); All-WNBA Second Team (2009); Olympic Gold Medal (2008)
DeLisha Milton-Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 31.6 Medium (1.1) 10.2 4.8 2.2 1.4 40.92 Milton-Jones supplied physical defense and veteran versatility, guarding different positions while providing secondary scoring. Her willingness to play through contact and handle difficult assignments made her an important stabilizing presence around the Sparks’ stars. WNBA All-Star (2009); Olympic Gold Medal (2008)
Noelle Quinn Key Contributor (1.05) 27.3 Medium (1.1) 8.4 3.6 3.5 1.5 37.62 Quinn became a valuable connector in the rotation, blending perimeter shooting, playmaking, and defensive activity. Her ability to create for teammates without dominating possessions allowed Los Angeles to keep multiple offensive threats on the floor. —
Betty Lennox Key Contributor (1.05) 21.3 Medium (1.1) 10.2 4.5 1.8 1.0 36.23 Lennox brought aggressive wing scoring and toughness off the perimeter. Her attacking style gave the Sparks another player capable of creating offense when defenses focused heavily on Parker, Leslie, and Thompson. WNBA Champion (2004); WNBA Finals MVP (2004)
Kristi Harrower Key Contributor (1.05) 16.8 Low (1.0) 3.1 1.8 2.2 0.5 15.96 Harrower provided steady veteran point guard play, keeping possessions organized and making smart decisions. Her role was built around control, passing, and defensive positioning rather than scoring volume. —
Marie Ferdinand-Harris Bench (1.0) 12.1 Low (1.0) 5.4 1.5 0.9 0.6 16.80 Ferdinand-Harris gave the Sparks athletic wing depth and efficient scoring in limited minutes. Her ability to attack closeouts and finish plays helped maintain offensive energy when the rotation expanded. —
Vanessa Hayden Bench (1.0) 10.8 Low (1.0) 3.8 2.7 0.2 1.1 15.60 Hayden provided reserve center minutes, using her size and shot-blocking instincts to protect the paint. Her offensive role was limited, but she gave Los Angeles another physical interior option. —
Shannon Bobbitt Bench (1.0) 10.7 Low (1.0) 2.2 1.0 1.4 0.5 10.20 Bobbitt brought speed and defensive pressure in short stretches. Her role centered on changing pace and creating energy rather than running a large portion of the offense. —
Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton Bench (1.0) 6.8 Low (1.0) 2.4 1.4 0.3 0.4 9.00 Wisdom-Hylton provided young frontcourt depth, contributing through hustle plays and defensive activity. Her minutes were limited behind an experienced group of forwards and centers. —
Totals — 240.5 — 87.0 43.6 19.5 13.3 358.11 Los Angeles Sparks 2009 regular season listed player totals for HeatingUp Impact Index calculation. —

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) 35.2 High (1.2) 18.0 10.7 1.7 2.6 86.33 Parker was the centerpiece of the Sparks’ playoff attack, combining interior scoring, elite rebounding, and defensive versatility. Her ability to control the glass while creating mismatches as a forward made her one of the hardest players to defend during the postseason run. WNBA Champion (2016); WNBA Finals MVP (2016); WNBA MVP (2008, 2013); All-WNBA First Team (2016)
Lisa Leslie Starter/Star (1.1) 34.7 High (1.2) 16.7 9.2 2.0 2.8 73.92 Leslie continued to anchor the paint with powerful post scoring and elite defensive timing. Her ability to protect the rim and draw defensive attention inside remained central to Los Angeles’ identity during high-pressure playoff games. WNBA Champion (2001, 2002); WNBA Finals MVP (2001); WNBA MVP (2001, 2004); Olympic Gold Medal (2008)
Tina Thompson Starter/Star (1.1) 36.3 Medium (1.1) 15.2 7.0 2.8 1.5 57.97 Thompson provided veteran shot-making and spacing, stretching defenses with her perimeter shooting while still battling inside. Her ability to score from multiple areas helped balance the Sparks’ frontcourt-heavy offense and gave younger stars room to operate. WNBA Champion (2016); WNBA All-Star (2009); All-WNBA Second Team (2009)
DeLisha Milton-Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 31.7 Medium (1.1) 9.0 5.8 2.5 1.9 40.92 Milton-Jones supplied physical defense and veteran toughness throughout the playoffs, taking difficult assignments while contributing as a secondary creator. Her versatility allowed Los Angeles to maintain a strong defensive structure around its star frontcourt. WNBA Champion (2009); WNBA All-Star (2009); Olympic Gold Medal (2008)
Betty Lennox Key Contributor (1.05) 21.3 Medium (1.1) 12.3 3.0 1.5 0.8 35.70 Lennox gave the Sparks a reliable scoring punch off the bench, attacking gaps and confidently taking perimeter shots. Her ability to create offense without requiring designed touches made her a valuable postseason option. WNBA Champion (2016); WNBA Finals MVP (2004)
Noelle Quinn Key Contributor (1.05) 26.3 Low (1.0) 4.8 3.2 3.8 1.7 28.46 Quinn acted as a connective piece in the rotation, handling secondary playmaking duties and contributing defensive activity. Her willingness to make extra passes and guard multiple positions helped keep the lineup flexible. —
Kristi Harrower Bench (1.0) 11.8 Low (1.0) 2.6 0.2 2.2 0.4 10.80 Harrower provided steady veteran guard minutes, focusing on ball control and organization rather than scoring. Her playoff role was built around experience and keeping possessions stable in short stretches. —
Marie Ferdinand-Harris Bench (1.0) 7.0 Low (1.0) 2.5 1.0 0.0 0.5 8.00 Ferdinand-Harris supplied brief wing minutes, providing energy and occasional perimeter shooting. With a shortened playoff rotation, her opportunities were limited but she remained a capable veteran reserve. —
Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton Bench (1.0) 1.5 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.0 2.00 Wisdom-Hylton saw minimal playoff action as a depth frontcourt option. Her role was primarily providing emergency size behind a veteran-heavy rotation. —
Shannon Bobbitt Bench (1.0) 3.7 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.60 Bobbitt received limited postseason minutes, mainly serving as backcourt depth. The Sparks relied on more experienced guards during their playoff run. —
Vanessa Hayden Bench (1.0) 2.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Hayden appeared briefly as a reserve interior option, with the playoff rotation focused heavily on the team’s established frontcourt core. —
Totals — 211.0 — 81.1 41.4 17.0 12.2 344.70 Los Angeles Sparks 2009 playoff listed player totals for HeatingUp Impact Index calculation. WNBA Champion (2009)