Amanda Zahui is making her seventh season in the world's best basketball WNBA and it is her best in her career.
She is an established starting player and one of the team's stars.
LA Sparks had a tough start to the season after injuries to some players in the squad but after the break for the Olympics everyone is back and LA Sparks has four straight victories.
- With the whole team back, we look like a completely new team.
With new energy and more threats out on the field.
We continue to build on everything we have worked on from the beginning of the season and it starts to click now.
Which is great fun, says Amanda Zahui.
Aiming for the playoffs
When the league restarted after the Olympic break, LA Sparks was in 12th and last place.
But after that, the team's four straight victories have meant that they are now in eighth and are actually in the playoffs.
- These victories mean a lot.
Not just for standings and playoffs but for our confidence as well.
The WNBA playoffs begin on September 23 and are the first eight teams to compete for the league title.
There are no big secrets or tactical changes that have led to the recent successes, but it is about all players being back and working hard on training.
- We have focused on ourselves, worked really hard and really stuck together when it has been tough.
It can really be seen and felt out there on the pitch now, she says.
Tough and crucial weeks
When SVT Sport gets a chat with Amanda Zahui, the team is in a much tougher period where it is about big challenges away from home.
A period that may well be decisive if they are to reach the playoffs.
- We are currently out on a long road trip for fifteen days, six tough matches.
Our focus now is to only take one match at a time.
The national team has to wait
The Swedish women's national team will in November begin the qualifiers for the European Championships 2023, which will be decided in Slovenia and Israel.
Whether Sweden's biggest star will be involved is not entirely clear.
The plan now is to take LA Sparks to the playoffs and after that games are probably waiting in Turkey.
- Right now my focus is here.
Playing for the national team is always an honor.
We will see how everything goes this autumn with the team in Turkey and covid.
Right now I take one day at a time and enjoy living my dream.
KLIPP: What is it like to be a female leader in sports? (August 19th)
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What is it like to be a female leader in sports?
Photo: SVT