Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The 2014 Los Angeles Sparks centered their offense on Candace Parker, whose elite scoring, rebounding, and playmaking made her the team’s driving force, while Nneka Ogwumike supplied efficient interior scoring and strong work on the glass. Kristi Toliver added perimeter shooting and secondary creation. Los Angeles excelled through efficient offense and balanced ball movement, but inconsistent defense and average rebounding prevented the team from sustaining its overall effectiveness.

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] 33.2 High [1.2] 19.4 7.1 4.3 3.2 77.8 Parker remained the offensive centerpiece, operating as a point-forward who could score from the post, create for teammates, and anchor the defense. The 2014 regular season highlighted her expanded playmaking responsibilities, with coverage often noting how her versatility allowed Los Angeles to build its offense around her decisions. WNBA All-Star (2014); All-WNBA First Team (2014)
Nneka Ogwumike Starter/Star [1.1] 27.6 High [1.2] 15.8 7.1 1.5 2.3 71.3 Ogwumike became one of the league’s most efficient interior scorers, combining quick post moves, transition speed, and relentless rebounding. Analysts praised her growth as a more complete offensive player, especially her ability to create pressure without needing a large number of possessions. WNBA All-Star (2014); All-WNBA Second Team (2014)
Kristi Toliver Starter/Star [1.1] 28.5 Medium [1.1] 11.8 2.1 4.1 1.1 41.1 Toliver continued as the primary perimeter creator, using pick-and-roll actions and deep shooting range to stretch defenses. Her role became more balanced as a scorer and facilitator, giving Los Angeles another reliable decision-maker next to Parker. WNBA All-Star (2014)
Jantel Lavender Starter/Star [1.1] 28.3 Medium [1.1] 11.9 6.3 1.5 1.3 42.9 Lavender took on a larger frontcourt role, providing steady scoring, rebounding, and physical play. Her ability to finish efficiently around the basket gave the Sparks another interior option and allowed them to maintain size-heavy lineups. —
Alana Beard Starter/Star [1.1] 27.7 Low [1.0] 8.5 2.6 2.5 1.6 33.7 Beard remained one of Los Angeles’ defensive leaders, handling difficult perimeter assignments while contributing as a secondary ball handler. Her impact came from disrupting opposing guards and making winning plays outside the box score. WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014)
Armintie Herrington Key Contributor [1.05] 23.2 Low [1.0] 3.9 2.8 2.0 1.7 21.8 Herrington provided energy and defensive versatility as a wing capable of guarding multiple positions. Her role centered on effort plays, transition defense, and keeping pressure on opponents when the main scorers were off the floor. —
Lindsey Harding Key Contributor [1.05] 22.7 Low [1.0] 5.7 1.8 3.2 1.0 22.5 Harding gave the Sparks another experienced ball handler, helping organize the offense and defend opposing guards. Her reduced starting role still allowed her to provide steady minutes as a secondary creator. —
Sandrine Gruda Bench [1.0] 12.0 Low [1.0] 3.8 3.0 0.6 0.5 15.8 Gruda supplied frontcourt depth with mobility and international experience, providing rebounding and interior scoring in reserve minutes. Her role was mainly to keep the frontcourt rotation productive when starters rested. —
Farhiya Abdi Bench [1.0] 8.4 Low [1.0] 2.5 0.5 0.3 0.1 6.8 Abdi played limited minutes as a young forward developing within a veteran rotation. Her opportunities were mostly focused on gaining experience and providing athletic depth. —
Candice Wiggins Bench [1.0] 13.9 Low [1.0] 1.6 1.2 0.9 0.9 9.2 Wiggins provided veteran guard depth but had a reduced role in a crowded backcourt. Her minutes were primarily used for defensive energy and occasional perimeter spacing. —
Darxia Morris Bench [1.0] 7.8 Low [1.0] 1.5 0.8 0.8 0.5 7.2 Morris saw limited action as a reserve guard, contributing short bursts of ball handling and defensive activity. The Sparks relied heavily on established perimeter players ahead of her. —
Samantha Prahalis Bench [1.0] 10.5 Low [1.0] 2.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 7.0 Prahalis appeared briefly during the season, with her role limited behind Los Angeles’ deeper guard rotation. Her opportunities were mostly situational rather than consistent. —
Nikki Greene Bench [1.0] 3.5 Low [1.0] 0.5 1.0 0.0 0.2 3.4 Greene received limited reserve minutes as a young frontcourt player. Her role was primarily developmental while the Sparks leaned on experienced interior options. —
Totals — — — 88.9 37.8 19.7 15.0 357.3 The 2014 Sparks combined elite frontcourt talent with experienced perimeter playmaking. Parker and Ogwumike drove the team’s identity through versatility and efficiency, while Toliver and Beard provided the guard balance needed around them. —

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] 36.5 High [1.2] 21.5 6.0 3.5 4.0 83.2 Parker carried the Sparks’ playoff offense as the primary scorer and defensive anchor, attacking from the post while also creating for teammates. Her ability to impact both ends remained the defining feature of Los Angeles’ postseason identity, with her rim protection and versatility causing constant matchup problems. WNBA All-Star (2014); All-WNBA First Team (2014)
Nneka Ogwumike Starter/Star [1.1] 30.0 Medium [1.1] 13.0 6.0 1.0 0.5 37.6 Ogwumike provided efficient interior scoring and physical rebounding, serving as Parker’s frontcourt partner. Her playoff role centered on finishing possessions, attacking closeouts, and using her athleticism against slower defenders. WNBA All-Star (2014); All-WNBA Second Team (2014)
Kristi Toliver Starter/Star [1.1] 32.0 Medium [1.1] 10.5 1.5 6.5 0.5 41.6 Toliver shifted into a facilitator-heavy role during the postseason, creating offense through ball handling and pick-and-roll reads. Although her outside shot was inconsistent in the series, her ability to pressure defenses as a secondary creator remained valuable. WNBA All-Star (2014)
Alana Beard Starter/Star [1.1] 24.0 Low [1.0] 6.0 4.5 1.0 1.0 26.4 Beard continued to provide defensive leadership on the perimeter, taking difficult assignments and contributing through rebounding and physical play. Her playoff role focused on limiting opposing wings and providing stability around higher-usage teammates. WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014)
Sandrine Gruda Key Contributor [1.05] 22.0 Low [1.0] 5.5 4.5 1.0 2.5 28.4 Gruda supplied valuable frontcourt depth with mobility and shot-blocking instincts. Her international experience showed in her ability to defend around the rim and give Los Angeles another big who could handle playoff physicality. —
Jantel Lavender Key Contributor [1.05] 20.5 Low [1.0] 6.0 4.5 1.5 0.5 27.3 Lavender provided reliable interior minutes, battling for rebounds and creating offense through post touches. Her steady production helped keep the Sparks’ frontcourt rotation effective behind Parker and Ogwumike. —
Armintie Herrington Bench [1.0] 14.5 Low [1.0] 2.5 1.0 1.0 1.5 12.0 Herrington brought defensive energy in reserve minutes, using athleticism and toughness to pressure opposing players. Her playoff role was centered on changing the game with effort rather than offensive volume. —
Lindsey Harding Bench [1.0] 10.0 Low [1.0] 4.0 0.5 2.0 1.0 15.0 Harding provided veteran guard depth and defensive intensity in limited opportunities. She helped stabilize the backcourt when called upon, using experience to manage possessions in short stretches. —
Farhiya Abdi Bench [1.0] 4.0 Low [1.0] 2.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 6.0 Abdi saw only brief playoff action but provided athletic depth at forward. Her minutes were primarily developmental within a veteran-heavy rotation. —
Candice Wiggins Bench [1.0] 7.5 Low [1.0] 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.5 2.0 Wiggins played a limited reserve role during the postseason, with the Sparks relying on their primary guards and wings for most perimeter production. —
Nikki Greene Bench [1.0] 3.0 Low [1.0] 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 Greene received minimal playoff minutes as a reserve frontcourt option behind a deeper group of established bigs. —
Totals — — — 71.0 30.0 17.0 12.5 281.5 The Sparks’ 2014 playoff rotation revolved around Parker’s all-around dominance, with Ogwumike and Lavender providing interior support while Toliver handled major creation duties. Defensive versatility and frontcourt depth remained the team’s biggest strengths. —