Sparks can't keep pace with defending champion Aces in season-opening loss

"Las Vegas shot 63% from the floor and the Sparks had few answers. Nneka Ogwumike had 19 points and 10 rebounds in her return to the Sparks, and Kelsey Plum opened her campaign with 27 points. Reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson led the Aces with 19 points and Jackie Young picked up 20 points and nine assists. Chennedy Carter had 22 points in her first WNBA game since 2024."

"Las Vegas (1-1) pounded the paint early with 26 points in the first half and 14 free throws to seven from the Sparks (0-1). They also shot 68.8% in the opening quarter to lead 29-14. But the Sparks' offense also seemed a bit out of sorts, with nine turnovers in the opening half that the Aces turned into 10 points. Las Vegas opened the second quarter on an 18-5 run."

"The Sparks narrowed the deficit to one by halftime following an Ogwumike three-pointer and backhand layup late in the second. But mostly, the Sparks' defense activated, forcing 10 turnovers, led by two steals apiece from Ariel Atkins and Erica Wheeler to fuel the comeback. The Aces expanded their lead back to nine following a pair of turnovers from Atkins and Plum."

"Last season, the Sparks had the worst defense in the WNBA, giving up 88.2 points per game. Defensive woes haunted them once more with 33 points allowed on 73.7% shooting in the third quarter, allowing the Aces to pull away. Even with 15 offensive rebounds to the Aces' six, the Sparks' offense wasn't efficient enough to compete. The Sparks also only got seven from the bench, with Wheeler shooting one for 11 in 20 minutes."

Las Vegas defeated the Sparks 105-78 in the season opener. The Aces shot 63% from the floor and built early control with 26 points in the paint, 14 free throws, and 68.8% shooting in the first quarter. Nneka Ogwumike returned with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Kelsey Plum scored 27 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter. A’ja Wilson added 19 points and Jackie Young contributed 20 points and nine assists. The Sparks had nine turnovers in the first half, and Las Vegas converted them into points, including an 18-5 second-quarter start. The Sparks briefly narrowed the gap by halftime, but defensive lapses and poor third-quarter performance allowed the Aces to pull away.

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