Sparks Shine Bright in Vegas: Statement Win Over the Aces
The Los Angeles Sparks pulled off one of their most complete performances of the season Wednesday night, taking down the defending champs, the Las Vegas Aces, 97–89 at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
From the opening tip, L.A. made it clear they came to handle business. The Sparks dropped 29 points in the first quarter their highest scoring opening frame this season on a ridiculous 78.6% shooting from the field and 85.7% from three. Rickea Jackson was on fire, putting up 14 points and hitting four threes in the first quarter alone, all assisted by Kelsey Plum. That early confidence set the tone for the night.
Ball Movement, Energy & Confidence
The Sparks looked locked in. Head Coach Lynne Roberts said it best postgame: “Everybody played loose and aggressive. The plan was to really move the ball.” And move it they did—finishing with 24 assists as a team, tying their season high. Kelsey Plum dished out 9 of those assists, matching her season-high and keeping the offense flowing with poise and pace.
Rickea Jackson had the best game of her young career, putting up a career-high 30 points on 11-for-17 shooting. Whether she was knocking down outside shots, attacking off the dribble, or scoring through contact, Rickea looked unstoppable. And the scary part? She made it look easy.
“I just come in and do my job,” Jackson said after the game. “When we move the ball like that, great things happen.”
The Frontcourt Dominated
Dearica Hamby was all over the floor once again 19 points, 8 boards, 7 assists, and her usual hustle plays that don’t always show up in the box score. Azurá Stevens put together her fourth double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds, including 11 second-quarter points that helped the Sparks hold off a Vegas run.
From the first to the fourth, L.A. was composed. Even when the Aces tried to get back into it in the third, the Sparks didn’t flinch. They stayed poised, stuck to their identity, and kept making the right reads.
Bench Impact + Efficiency
This was also one of the strongest showings from the Sparks’ bench. The second unit shot 6-for-7 from the field and 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, adding 16 points and key minutes throughout. Liatu King gave a spark in the fourth with 5 points on perfect shooting and some tough defensive minutes.
As a team, L.A. shot a season-best 56.9% from the field and 45% from three, while also outscoring the Aces 44–32 in the paint and outrebounding them 38–28.
Beyond the Box Score
Not only did this win mean something in the standings—it meant something off the court, too. The Sparks raised $3,000 for Social Justice Partners LA through the WNBA’s Commissioner’s Cup initiative, bringing their total to $8,000 so far.
What’s Next:
The Sparks head to Minneapolis to face Napheesa Collier and the red hot Minnesota Lynx on Saturday, June 14 at 10 a.m. PT.
If Wednesday night showed us anything, it’s this: when the Sparks are clicking, moving the ball, and trusting each other, they can hang with anybody in this league.