Sparks Sign Grace Berger Hardship Contract Amid Multiple Injuries

The Los Angeles Sparks have signed guard Grace Berger to a rest-of-season hardship contract to address multiple player absences due to injuries and personal reasons. Berger, a 26-year-old Kentucky native and former seventh overall pick in the 2023 draft by the Indiana Fever, has averaged 3.9 points, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 rebounds across 47 WNBA games and recently played for Ormanspor in Turkey, where she posted strong stats. The Sparks are currently missing key players including star guard Kelsey Plum, who leads the team in scoring and assists but is sidelined with a leg injury, as well as Odyssey Sims and others dealing with injuries or commitments overseas. Berger spent the 2025 WNBA training camp with the Minnesota Lynx before joining the Sparks, who also signed veteran guard Shey Peddy on a hardship contract to bolster their backcourt depth. The Sparks face roster challenges typical in the WNBA due to limited roster sizes, leading to increased reliance on hardship signings during the season. Berger's addition aims to help the Sparks maintain competitive rotation depth amid their current lineup shortages.