WNBA Rivalry: Sparks vs. Wings

The rivalry between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Dallas Wings is a compelling narrative in the WNBA, defined by a clash of styles, generational talent, and a franchise history that has shaped its modern dynamic. It pits a historical powerhouse against a youthful, ascending force in the league.

Overall Head-to-Head Record

The Los Angeles Sparks hold the all-time lead against the Dallas Wings franchise.

  • Regular Season: Los Angeles Sparks 43 wins, Dallas Wings Franchise 28 wins (as of August 22, 2025)
  • Playoffs: Los Angeles Sparks 2 wins, Dallas Wings Franchise 1 win

The Evolution of the Rivalry: A Tale of Three Eras

The Sparks-Wings rivalry has evolved over time, reflecting the changing fortunes and identities of the Dallas franchise.

The Foundational Years: The Detroit Shock Era (1998-2009)

This era established the rivalry as a clash of two dominant, yet stylistically different, teams. The Sparks were a WNBA dynasty, led by icons like Lisa Leslie. The Detroit Shock, under the guidance of “Bad Boy” Bill Laimbeer, forged an identity of toughness and grit, culminating in their championship years. The rivalry was at its most intense and culminated in the 2003 WNBA Finals, a legendary series where the underdog Shock dethroned the defending champion Sparks.

The Transitional Years: The Tulsa Shock Era (2012-2015)

Following the franchise’s relocation, the rivalry entered a new phase. The Tulsa Shock were a team in a state of flux, rebuilding from the ground up. While the Sparks often held the upper hand in this period, the matchups remained competitive and served as a bridge between the high-stakes games of the past and the rise of a new generation of talent in the future.

The Modern Rivalry: The Dallas Wings Era (2016-Present)

The rivalry has been reinvigorated with the franchise’s move to Dallas and the accumulation of a dynamic, young core. This era is a classic case study in “youth vs. experience,” pitting the veteran leadership of the Sparks against the athletic and explosive style of the Wings. The matchups are now consistently back-and-forth, often decided by a single clutch play or a star’s individual performance.

Head-to-Head Matchup History

Here is a list of all known regular season and playoff matchups between the two franchises.

Dallas Wings Era (2016-Present)

  • August 20, 2025: Dallas Wings 80, Los Angeles Sparks 81
  • August 15, 2025: Los Angeles Sparks 96, Dallas Wings 97
  • June 6, 2025: Los Angeles Sparks 93, Dallas Wings 79
  • August 26, 2024: Dallas Wings 113, Los Angeles Sparks 110
  • July 14, 2024: Dallas Wings 81, Los Angeles Sparks 87
  • June 8, 2024: Los Angeles Sparks 81, Dallas Wings 72
  • May 27, 2024: Los Angeles Sparks 83, Dallas Wings 84
  • July 23, 2023: Dallas Wings 98, Los Angeles Sparks 84
  • June 26, 2023: Los Angeles Sparks 93, Dallas Wings 83
  • June 24, 2023: Los Angeles Sparks 76, Dallas Wings 74
  • June 15, 2023: Dallas Wings 61, Los Angeles Sparks 79
  • August 15, 2022: Los Angeles Sparks 88, Dallas Wings 116
  • July 2, 2022: Dallas Wings 89, Los Angeles Sparks 97
  • June 20, 2022: Dallas Wings 92, Los Angeles Sparks 82
  • June 1, 2022: Los Angeles Sparks 93, Dallas Wings 91
  • September 20, 2021: Dallas Wings 87, Los Angeles Sparks 84
  • June 2, 2021: Dallas Wings 79, Los Angeles Sparks 69
  • September 3, 2020: Los Angeles Sparks 91, Dallas Wings 83
  • August 24, 2020: Los Angeles Sparks 81, Dallas Wings 84
  • August 15, 2019: Los Angeles Sparks 78, Dallas Wings 84
  • July 19, 2019: Los Angeles Sparks 69, Dallas Wings 64
  • July 10, 2019: Dallas Wings 74, Los Angeles Sparks 62
  • July 13, 2018: Los Angeles Sparks 77, Dallas Wings 92
  • June 27, 2018: Los Angeles Sparks 83, Dallas Wings 87
  • June 23, 2018: Dallas Wings 101, Los Angeles Sparks 72
  • August 7, 2017: Dallas Wings 85, Los Angeles Sparks 79
  • July 31, 2017: Los Angeles Sparks 95, Dallas Wings 74
  • June 14, 2017: Los Angeles Sparks 97, Dallas Wings 87
  • September 3, 2016: Los Angeles Sparks 87, Dallas Wings 79
  • June 29, 2016: Dallas Wings 89, Los Angeles Sparks 84
  • June 12, 2016: Los Angeles Sparks 97, Dallas Wings 73

Tulsa Shock Era (2012-2015)

  • August 29, 2015: Tulsa Shock 76, Los Angeles Sparks 66
  • August 7, 2015: Los Angeles Sparks 84, Tulsa Shock 57
  • July 12, 2015: Tulsa Shock 82, Los Angeles Sparks 67
  • July 4, 2015: Los Angeles Sparks 95, Tulsa Shock 98
  • August 6, 2014: Tulsa Shock 96, Los Angeles Sparks 90
  • June 29, 2014: Los Angeles Sparks 87, Tulsa Shock 77
  • June 20, 2014: Los Angeles Sparks 87, Tulsa Shock 77
  • June 14, 2014: Tulsa Shock 69, Los Angeles Sparks 67
  • September 7, 2013: Tulsa Shock 70, Los Angeles Sparks 74
  • August 26, 2013: Los Angeles Sparks 90, Tulsa Shock 88 (OT)
  • August 3, 2013: Tulsa Shock 97, Los Angeles Sparks 87
  • July 12, 2013: Los Angeles Sparks 94, Tulsa Shock 78
  • June 9, 2013: Los Angeles Sparks 76, Tulsa Shock 69 (OT)
  • May 20, 2013: Tulsa Shock 82, Los Angeles Sparks 67
  • August 31, 2012: Tulsa Shock 99, Los Angeles Sparks 85
  • June 27, 2012: Tulsa Shock 92, Los Angeles Sparks 73
  • June 21, 2012: Los Angeles Sparks 95, Tulsa Shock 79

Detroit Shock Era (1998-2009)

  • July 22, 2008: Los Angeles Sparks 84, Detroit Shock 81 (The “Malice at the Palace II” game)
  • July 15, 2007: Detroit Shock 75, Los Angeles Sparks 87
  • June 14, 2007: Detroit Shock 79, Los Angeles Sparks 64
  • August 13, 2006: Detroit Shock 78, Los Angeles Sparks 62
  • June 18, 2006: Los Angeles Sparks 84, Detroit Shock 69
  • August 23, 2005: Detroit Shock 82, Los Angeles Sparks 79
  • July 22, 2005: Los Angeles Sparks 69, Detroit Shock 67
  • August 30, 2004: Detroit Shock 85, Los Angeles Sparks 76
  • July 15, 2004: Los Angeles Sparks 66, Detroit Shock 77
  • June 19, 2004: Los Angeles Sparks 68, Detroit Shock 66
  • August 17, 2003: Los Angeles Sparks 72, Detroit Shock 60
  • July 11, 2003: Detroit Shock 80, Los Angeles Sparks 70
  • July 28, 2002: Los Angeles Sparks 70, Detroit Shock 66
  • July 13, 2002: Los Angeles Sparks 72, Detroit Shock 62
  • June 21, 2002: Detroit Shock 68, Los Angeles Sparks 61
  • July 18, 2001: Los Angeles Sparks 84, Detroit Shock 67
  • July 17, 2000: Los Angeles Sparks 83, Detroit Shock 68
  • June 28, 2000: Detroit Shock 62, Los Angeles Sparks 58
  • August 3, 1999: Los Angeles Sparks 85, Detroit Shock 67
  • June 25, 1999: Los Angeles Sparks 73, Detroit Shock 55
  • August 16, 1998: Los Angeles Sparks 86, Detroit Shock 77
  • August 1, 1998: Los Angeles Sparks 61, Detroit Shock 63
  • July 25, 1998: Detroit Shock 75, Los Angeles Sparks 68
  • July 10, 1998: Los Angeles Sparks 71, Detroit Shock 69

Playoff History

The two franchises have met in the playoffs on one occasion, the 2003 WNBA Finals. The series was a pivotal moment in the history of the WNBA, as the underdog Detroit Shock upset the defending champion Los Angeles Sparks.

  • 2003 WNBA Finals:
    • Game 1: Los Angeles Sparks 62, Detroit Shock 61
    • Game 2: Los Angeles Sparks 61, Detroit Shock 62
    • Game 3: Los Angeles Sparks 78, Detroit Shock 82
    • Outcome: The Detroit Shock won the series 2-1 to claim their first WNBA championship.

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