SPARKS TODAY

vs. Sacramento, 1 p.m., Channel 7

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KWKU (1220).

Records--Sparks 22-8, Monarchs 15-15.

Record vs. Monarchs--1-2.

Update -- Seattle’s loss to Minnesota on Friday allowed the Sparks to clinch a tie for the Western Conference regular-season championship. Los Angeles can win the title outright, and clinch home-court advantage for as long as they are in the playoffs, with a victory over Sacramento today. But no team has given the Sparks as much trouble this season as the Monarchs, whose talented frontcourt led by All-Star Yolanda Griffith matches up well with Los Angeles. Spark forward Mwadi Mabika, who has sat out the last three games because of an injured left knee, could return to action today. The Monarchs trail Phoenix by one game for the fourth and final playoff slot in the West. They have no more head-to-head meetings with the Mercury, but they own the tiebreaker should the teams end the regular season tied. Which means Sacramento probably needs to win its final four games, including today’s, and get some help from Phoenix’s final four opponents.

--Mike Terry