WNBA: A’ja Wilson scores 25 points to carry Aces past Sparks

A'ja Wilson scored 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and Jackie Young added 16 points and nine assists as the visiting Las Vegas Aces opened their Commissioner's Cup schedule with a 79-69 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday.

Chelsea Gray scored 12 points while handing out 11 assists for the Aces (6-3), who have won consecutive games following a two-game losing streak that started with a home loss to the Sparks.

The Aces are one of three teams to have reached the Commissioner's Cup final twice in the first five seasons of the tournament, winning it all in 2022. This season's final is scheduled for June 30.

Plum's Absence Felt

Rae Burrell scored a career-high 22 points and Nneka Ogwumike added 12 points and 12 rebounds, but the Sparks (4-5) dropped to 1-2 without guard Kelsey Plum. Plum, who leads Los Angeles with an average of 26.8 points per game, sprained her right ankle in practice last week. Notably, Plum played for Las Vegas from 2018 to 2024.

The Aces shot 44.9% from the floor, while holding the Sparks to a season-low 30.8%.

Game Breakdown

Las Vegas took a 14-10 lead after the first quarter by holding Los Angeles to just 23.1% shooting from the floor. The Aces then extended their lead to 31-16 with 6:05 remaining in the first half following a 3-pointer from Young. However, the Sparks answered with a run to pull within 35-30 with 1:35 left before halftime.

The Aces maintained a 37-30 advantage at the break, limiting the Sparks to 29.0% shooting in the first half while leaning on 13 points and eight rebounds from Wilson.

Third-Quarter Surge: Los Angeles cut the deficit to 43-38 with 7:25 remaining in the third quarter before Las Vegas went on a decisive 14-4 run to take a 57-42 lead with 2:38 left in the period. The Aces entered the final frame holding a 64-51 advantage.

The Final Stretch: Las Vegas led 71-56 with 5:16 remaining before Los Angeles went on an 8-0 run to pull within 71-64 with 2:48 left, capped by a three-point play from Burrell. The Aces finally halted the momentum with a clutch three-point play from Wilson with 1:40 remaining to seal the win.

Injury Note: Burrell had to be helped off the floor after the final buzzer with an apparent right ankle injury.

— Field Level Media / Reuters