The L.A. Sparks figured to challenge for the 2011 WNBA playoffs with Candace Parker returning, but as described in a SBN Seattle feature earlier today they'd probably have to win something close to 8 or 9 games to have a shot.

Of those 8 or 9 wins, beating the Indiana Fever - even at home - did not appear to be their most winnable game. But in doing so, they're only 2.5 games behind the idle Seattle Storm now and have shown that they're not close to out of this playoff race - they have 3 games remaining against the Tulsa Shock and 1 against the Washington Mystics, which gives them ample opportunity to pick up more wins going forward.