​Two former Sparks made their return to Los Angeles for the first time since departing the team, with Azurá Stevens the only one actively taking the court against her old club as she rejoined the Chicago Sky on a visiting night. Stevens, who previously played for Chicago from 2020 to 2022 and celebrated a championship there in 2021, seemed eager to reunite with the Sky after three seasons with the Sparks.
“I miss the city a lot,” Stevens said when asked about returning to Chicago. “I miss the organization. It’s really familiar to me. Obviously, I’ve played there for three years. There’s a lot of familiarity.”
Chicago entered free agency with a refreshed roster, adding a host of new faces including Stevens. She expressed optimism about what this newly assembled squad could achieve. “I think just being utilized in a lot of different ways,” she noted. “Me and Kamilla Cardoso are such a great duo, so it’s been really fun playing with her. It’s also exciting to be back playing in Chicago. Then there’s Natasha Cloud, Skylar Diggins, and a bunch of new players—people I’ve played with a little, but now we’re all coming together. It’s been really exciting.”
Would Stevens approach games against the Sparks any differently? Not really, she said. “Not really. You know, it’s another game. Obviously, we want to come out and win. I mean, it’s nostalgic coming back because I spent three seasons here, so there’s a lot of familiarity. But the goal is still the same: to win.”
Stevens also admitted missing Los Angeles. “Seeing my old teammates has been pretty cool,” she said, mentioning encounters with former colleagues at Unrivaled and at Crypto.com Arena, which she called an amazing venue. She felt a sense of pride simply to be back in the arena that had become a familiar stage in her career. “Coming back to Crypto.com Arena, it’s an awesome arena. I’m excited to just play here again.”
Even as she acknowledged the unique atmosphere of playing at Crypto.com Arena, Stevens kept her focus on her role as a mentor. “Just stay as even-keeled as possible,” she explained. “The season has had its ups and downs, and we haven’t had the best start. But it’s all about staying focused on what’s in front of us and building off what we can to get to where we want to go.” She added with a smile, “That’s how I am—even-keeled.”
On the court, Stevens contributed 10 points and eight rebounds in the game against her former team, though the Sparks ultimately defeated the Sky 102-87. The moment highlighted the mutual respect between the two organizations and underscored Stevens’s reputation as a steadying presence who remains emotionally balanced no matter the outcome.
Both teams have moved in different directions since their last meeting, yet the Sparks clearly miss a player of Stevens’s temperament. She has long been the kind of veteran presence that steadies a locker room and brings a calm, composed energy to every situation. Throughout her career, Stevens has been the kind of player who keeps emotions in check while guiding younger teammates with practical wisdom and steady leadership. As she continues her journey with Chicago, her reputation as a reliable, even-keeled force on and off the court remains a defining characteristic of her career. This steady demeanor is precisely what teams value when navigating the highs and lows of a competitive season.
For fans and analysts seeking to understand Stevens’s impact and the Sky’s potential, her ability to blend veteran leadership with versatile play is a key storyline as the season progresses. Her collaboration with Kamilla Cardoso, Natasha Cloud, Skylar Diggins, and the rest of Chicago’s roster could unlock new offensive and defensive dynamics, making the Sky a formidable challenger in a league featuring several championship contenders. As she continues to integrate with her new teammates while revisiting memories from her time in Chicago, Stevens remains a player to watch—someone who embodies consistency and poise, the very traits that have defined her enduring basketball career.