Los Angeles Sparks Dismissed Coach Lynne Roberts
The Los Angeles Sparks announced the departure of head coach Lynne Roberts following a two-season tenure.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Basketball
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The Los Angeles Sparks have parted ways with head coach Lynne Roberts after the team finished the 2026 season with a 16-28 record. Special advisor Farhan Zaidi confirmed the dismissal on Friday.
Why it matters
The decision marks a leadership change for the Sparks after the franchise concluded the season in 12th place among 15 teams. The team is now tasked with finding a new head coach to improve upon their performance in the coming seasons.
Lynne Roberts managed a 37-51 record over her two-season tenure with the Sparks. The team finished the 2026 season with a 16-28 record, placing them 12th out of 15 teams in the WNBA standings.
The players
Lynne Roberts
She is the former head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks who compiled a 37-51 record over two seasons.
Farhan Zaidi
He serves as a special advisor for the Los Angeles Sparks and issued the team statement regarding the coaching change.
Teresa Weatherspoon
She is a former Chicago Sky head coach who has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the open position.
The details
The announcement came shortly after the conclusion of the WNBA regular season. Special advisor Farhan Zaidi led the communication regarding the coaching change, while speculation regarding potential candidates has already begun.
Timeline
The WNBA regular season concluded on September 24, 2026.
The Los Angeles Sparks dismissed Lynne Roberts on September 25, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The dismissal of Lynne Roberts follows a pattern of high turnover established during the 2024 WNBA coaching cycle. This move signals a significant reset for the Sparks as they attempt to climb out of the league's bottom tier and stabilize their competitive standing.
The coaching vacancy immediately impacts the franchise's strategy for the upcoming draft and off-season roster construction. Fans and analysts should monitor the team's pursuit of potential successors like Lindsey Harding, Kristi Toliver, or Briann January.
The takeaway
Front office decisions following a 12th-place finish are critical steps toward rebuilding team culture and on-court production. The search for a new head coach will define the tactical direction of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Further reading
For more updates on the upcoming coaching search, visit the Los Angeles Basketball page.
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