Lisa Leslie is one point shy of becoming the first WNBA player to reach 5,000. Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty Images WNBA Photo Gallery: June 23, 2006

Mabika TODAY'S TOP STORY Sustaining the Spark: Take a look at Los Angeles' schedule and one word comes to mind: streaky. Faced with a six-game road swing to start the season, the Sparks did their part by breaking even at 3-3. Then they reeled off six straight wins at home before making it seven in a row with Friday's 77-63 triumph at defending champ Sacramento. Mwadi Mabika scored a game-high 24 points for L.A. Now the West-leading Sparks return to STAPLES Center for an eight-game homestand, but don't worry ... they'll log the frequent-flier miles on an eight-game trip during the stretch run. ALSO MAKING HEADLINES ... Sky Give Sun a Run: Chicago came real close to halting its skid Friday -- against the Eastern Conference leader no less. Amanda Lassiter's 3-pointer put the Sky up one with 43.5 seconds left, but Taj McWilliams-Franklin capped a 21-point, 14-rebound night with a layup 19 seconds later that gave Connecticut the lead for good en route to an 84-79 road win. Bogues WHAT THEY'RE SAYING "She played really well and that's what any player does when you are traded from a certain situation. You always look forward to playing that team." -- Charlotte head coach Muggsy Bogues on Houston point guard Dawn Staley, who tallied 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds against her former team in the Comets' 85-70 victory.

Jackson WHO'S HOT Lauren Jackson, SEA: 27pts 10-13 FG, 2-3 3-pt FG Nykesha Sales, CON: 23 pts 8-13 FG, 4-7 3-pt FG Tamika Whitmore, IND: 26 pts 10-17 FG, 6-6 FT

Thomas WHO'S NOT LaToya Thomas, SAN: 2-10 FG, 6 pts Anna DeForge, PHO: 2-9 FG, 6 pts Chamique Holdsclaw, LAS: 4-16 FG, 12 pts

Hodges SHINING OFF THE BENCH Point guard Doneeka Hodges-Lewis injected a valuable spark off the bench for Los Angeles, scoring 10 points on 4-of-6 from the field (2-of-3 from the arc) to go with a season-best six assists and three rebounds in a 77-63 win at Sacramento.

Dorrell ROOKIE WATCH The Monarchs didn't see a win materialize vs. L.A., but they did see some nice things from one of their two first-round picks. Shooting guard Scholanda Dorrell, the 14th overall selection out of LSU, led the team with a season-best 15 points, making 6-of-10 from the floor.