With a pair of All-Star appearances already embedded into her growing résumé, Dearica Hamby’s status as one of the WNBA’s best forwards when healthy was, in two words, set and solidified. Yet, as she took the floor for the youthful 2024 Los Angeles Sparks, fully aware of the increased responsibilities, it didn’t take long to recognize the potential for a breakthrough season of an even higher caliber. Getting right to work against her former team, Hamby hustles into a different kind of breakthrough, hunting her way in between Alysha Clark’s intended pass to set up a defense-to-offense sequence. Getting into top speed quickly, Hamby races the length of the floor unimpeded before putting in a scoop layup to cut the Sparks’ final-quarter deficit to just four. The Sparks’ attempt at victory would fall short on May 18, 2024, though Hamby’s effort kept them competitive throughout. In a showing that perfectly matched the magnitude against the defending-champion Las Vegas Aces, Hamby was both efficient and adaptable, shooting 12-of-16 from the field on the way to 29 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. · May 18, 2024