LOS ANGELES — Layshia Clarendon won't take this for granted. She knows what it's like to be on the other side.
The 10-year veteran guard was one of 12 players to make the Sparks' opening-day roster Thursday and will make her official return to the WNBA after a one-year hiatus Friday against the Phoenix Mercury at Crypto.com Arena.
Familiar faces such as Nneka Ogwumike, her sister Chiney Ogwumike and guard Lexie Brown headline the Sparks roster along with top offseason acquisitions Azurá Stevens, Jasmine Thomas and Dearica Hamby as the team hopes to return to the postseason for the first time since 2020. It will be coach Curt Miller's first season leading the team.