A year ago, no team in the WNBA was worse than the Los Angeles Sparks. So far in 2008, none has been better.

In a matchup of the Western Conference's top two teams each looking for their fifth straight win, league-leading Los Angeles on Friday night will meet the San Antonio Silver Stars, who are undefeated at home.

With Lisa Leslie back from pregnancy leave, and No. 1 pick Candace Parker nearly averaging a double-double, Los Angeles (8-2) looks nothing like the team that won only 10 games in 2007 to tie Minnesota for the league low.

The Sparks won three games in four days last week - including an overtime victory over East-leading Connecticut - before a three-day break. Los Angeles looked just as sharp in its return to the court on Wednesday, building a 23-point lead over Chicago on their way to an 80-67 win.

"At times, we showed that we can be one of the elite teams in the league,'' coach Michael Cooper said. "If we continue to grow and do the things that I know we can do, we'll be pretty good in about 15 games.''

Leslie led five Sparks in double figures with 21 points against Chicago, and Los Angeles outrebounded the Sky 41-24.

The Sparks lead the league with 40.2 rebounds per game, and Leslie (9.8) and Parker (9.6) rank first and second, individually. Parker also averages 16.4 points, second on the team behind Leslie's 17.6.

Los Angeles has the WNBA's best road record at 5-1, but will get a big test on Friday. San Antonio (7-4) hasn't lost at the AT&T Center in five games this season, including twice during its current run.

But the Silver Stars have won their last two on the road, beating Indiana 70-60 on Sunday, then routing expansion Atlanta 81-66 on Wednesday behind 25 points and nine assists from Becky Hammon.

Ann Wauters - acquired from Atlanta on draft day - had 18 points and 14 rebounds against the Dream, and should give the Silver Stars a chance to battle inside with Leslie and Parker.

"She has enabled us to get some great stops by how she defends,'' coach Dan Hughes said. "She also has done wonders offensively for us. She provides an element at the post position that we didn't have last year."

Los Angeles is third in the league, averaging 81.3 points, but San Antonio is one of the WNBA's stingiest teams. The Silver Stars allow only 69.5 points, and have held their opponent under 70 in each game during their win streak.

The Sparks had won six straight in San Antonio before losing their only game there last season.