For better or worse, Victor Wembanyama's Game 4 ejection changed complexion of the series — and his first playoff arc
Victor Wembanyama's first ejection in Game 4 changes playoff series for Spurs.
The Sparks lost to the defending champion Aces 105-78 in their season opener, struggling against the Aces' 63% shooting. Nneka Ogwumike led the Sparks with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Kelsey Plum scored 27 points.
Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, left, and forward Dearica Hamby, right, battle Las Vegas center A'ja Wilson for the ball during the Sparks' 105-78 loss at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday. (Luiza Moraes / Getty Images)
To be the best, you have to beat the best, and the Sparks aren’t quite there.
In their season opener, the Sparks couldn’t build momentum against defending champion Las Vegas and fell 105-78 behind a remarkably efficient shooting day from the Aces.
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.
The Sparks lost to the Aces with a final score of 105-78.
Kelsey Plum scored 27 points for the Sparks, while A'ja Wilson led the Aces with 19 points.
The Sparks struggled to keep pace, allowing the Aces to shoot 63% from the floor and ultimately losing by 27 points.
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Plum scored 11 of her points in the fourth quarter, but by then the Aces had opened a 20-plus point lead.
The Aces were coming off a 33-point blowout opening day loss to Phoenix on Saturday but showed no sign of fatigue.
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.
Sparks coach Lynne Roberts reacts during a 105-78 loss to the Las Vegas Aces at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday. (Luiza Moraes / Getty Images)
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.
The Sparks host Indiana (0-1) on Wednesday night.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.