LOS ANGELES — CP3 will be forever immortalized as a Sparks legend.

Candace Parker, a former No. 1 pick, who spent the first 13 years of her illustrious WNBA career with the Sparks, will have her No. 3 jersey retired and hoisted into the rafters at Crypto.com Arena during halftime of today’s game against the Chicago Sky.

Parker’s accolades after starring at Tennessee included being named MVP and Rookie of the Year in 2008, a feat that has not been duplicated. She was also named the league’s top player in 2013. However, her crowning achievement in L.A. was leading the Sparks to the 2016 title, after which she was named Finals MVP.

Although Parker, a 6-foot-4 forward, who averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 337 games with the Sparks, left the organization as a free agent ahead of the 2021 season, the legacy of three-time WNBA champion and Sparks franchise assists leader (1,331) still lives on in this year’s team.

Azurá Stevens, who scored a season-high 23 points in the Sparks’ 85-75 victory at Indiana on Thursday, won the 2021 WNBA title alongside Parker on the Sky, who will retire Parker’s jersey Aug. 25.

“Obviously, we want to honor her and win the game, but its important for us to just take care of business and celebrate her along the way,” Stevens said.

Kelsey Plum, who scored 21 points Thursday, won the 2023 WNBA title with Parker’s veteran leadership on the Las Vegas Aces. Parker retired after that season.

“I think Candace just even beyond basketball has just transformed the game,” Plum said. “The respect she commands just surpassed gender. That’s something that always inspired me, even now too just the way she does her broadcasting. She does it at the highest level. I think that’s she’s been tremendous for women and raising and moving the bar.”

The Sparks (5-11) return home against the Sky (4-11) after going 1-2 on their recent trip, which concluded by outscoring the Fever 35-17 in the fourth quarter to pull off the comeback victory.

Sparks coach Lynne Roberts wants to see her team keep that same Fever energy and execution against the Sky, who are coming off an 83-78 loss at Golden State on Friday. It will also be a redemption game after losing 97-86 at Chicago on Tuesday.

“We have to stack games,” Roberts said. “We have to be the same, connected. It’s a game of mistakes. We’re going to make mistakes, how do you respond to it.”

The Sparks and the Sky have split two games this season and are battling for the 10th position out of 13 teams in the standings.

Sky forward Angel Reese is averaging 11.7 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists. The Sky’s 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso, who scored a career-high 27 points against the Sparks on June 24, will miss today’s game to play for Brazil in the FIBA AmeriCup.

Sparks veteran guard Odyssey Sims returned to practice Saturday after being away from the team due to personal reasons for two weeks.