Sparks spot Aces first 14 points before rallying for 96-92 victory over two-time defending champions
Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (5) shoots against Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Ryan Sun
LOS ANGELES — Dearica Hamby finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, Aari McDonald scored 16 off the bench and the Los Angeles Sparks beat two-time defending-champion Las Vegas 96-92 on Sunday night after the Aces scored the first 14 points of the game.
Hamby sank 6 of 10 shots with a 3-pointer and 5 of 6 free throws for the Sparks (4-7), who won back-to-back games for the first time this season. McDonald made 5 of 8 shots, two from beyond the arc, and all four of her foul shots. McDonald's effort helped the LA bench outscore Las Vegas' substitutes 40-17.
Rickea Jackson pitched in with 16 points and five rebounds for LA.
A'ja Wilson had 31 points — three above her league-high average — to lead the Aces (5-4), who have lost three of their last four games. Wilson has now scored at least 20 points in 14 straight games, breaking a league record set by Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury.
Wilson, who averages a league-best 12 rebounds, grabbed eight. Kelsey Plum hit four 3-pointers, scoring 24 with five assists. Tiffany Hayes added 17 points and Kate Martin scored 13.
Wilson scored the first five points and Martin and Plum hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cap a 14-0 run to begin the game for Las Vegas.
Hamby had the first basket for Los Angeles at the 6:48 mark. She added five points from there and McDonald scored seven as the Sparks whittled their deficit to 26-21 heading to the second period.
Los Angeles Sparks guard Kia Nurse (10) shoots against Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) and Aces forward Alysha Clark (7) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Ryan Sun
Los Angeles erased all of a deficit that reached 15 when Cameron Brink hit the first of two free throws, knotting the score at 28 with 6:27 left before halftime. Jackson made a turnaround jumper to give LA its first lead six seconds later. Martin had a layup and a 3-pointer to put the Aces up by three, but Hamby answered with a layup and the Sparks trailed 44-43 at intermission.
Wilson drew a technical foul with nine seconds left in the third period. That led to two free throws by Lexie Brown and a layup by McDonald, giving the Sparks a 74-65 advantage heading to the fourth quarter.
Hayes scored six points and Plum hit a 3-pointer and two free throws to cap a 17-4 run as Las Vegas took an 82-78 lead with 4:42 left to play. Jackson answered with a layup and Rae Burrell buried a 3-pointer to put the Sparks ahead for good.
Las Vegas continues to struggle without starting point guard Chelsea Gray, who is out with a foot injury.
Los Angeles Sparks center Li Yueru (28) shoots against Las Vegas Aces center Megan Gustafson during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Ryan Sun
The Aces beat the Sparks 89-82 in the first matchup this season in mid-May.
