GAME RECAP: Aces Improve To 11-2 Behind Season-high 35 Points From A’ja Wilson In, 89-72, Road Win Over Sparks

LAS VEGAS (June 11, 2022)—The Las Vegas Aces improved to 11-2 on the season, and 7-0 in Commissioner’s Cup play Saturday evening, with a 89-72 road win over the Los Angeles Sparks (5-8). A’ja Wilson scored a season-high 35 points in the victory.

Box Score/Video Highlights

KEY RUNS

First Quarter (Las Vegas 25, Los Angeles 18)

Los Angeles led 18-13 with 3:43 to go in the quarter, but the Aces scored 12 straight to close out the period. A’ja Wilson, who scored 8 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in her last game against Dallas on June 5, scored 13 and grabbed 6 boards in the quarter.

Second Quarter (Las Vegas 52, Los Angeles 35)

The Sparks cut the Aces lead to three, 27-24, with 7:39 remaining in the half. Las Vegas scored 18 of the next 23 points to take their biggest lead of the game, 45-29. Las Vegas shot 60.0 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes, while the Spark made 39.0 percent of their shots.

Third Quarter (Las Vegas 78, Los Angeles 54)

The Aces’ extended their lead to as many as 26.

Fourth Quarter (Las Vegas 89, Los Angeles 72)

The Sparks never got closer than 16 in the final period.

KEY STATS

It has been 820 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered.

The Aces made 48.5 percent of their shots compared to 36.6 percent for Los Angeles.

The Aces starters outscored the Sparks’ starters 89-53, nearly setting a WNBA record for most points scored by a team without any points coming from the bench (94, Chicago vs. Minnesota, August 11, 2013).

The Aces outscored Los Angeles 17-8 in fast break points.

Las Vegas committed 19 turnovers, which the Sparks turned into 20 points. Los Angeles made 13 miscues, which Las Vegas turned into 13 points.

Las Vegas outscored Los Angeles 44-26 in the paint.

Las Vegas out-rebounded the Sparks 41-30.

GAME NOTES

Riquna Williams missed the game with a left foot strain.

Jackie Young missed the game with a right ankle sprain

The Aces 11-2 start is the best 13-game start in franchise history.

Kelsey Plum scored in double figures for the 20th straight game and the 77th time in her career (17 points). She also connected on 1 three-pointer, making it 20 straight games in which she has connected on at least one from long distance—the longest active streak in the league.

Chelsea Gray scored in double figures for the 11th time this season and the 148th in her career (10 points).

Dearica Hamby scored in double figures for the 11th time this season, and the 109th time in her career (20 points). It was also her 2nd time scoring 20 or more points this year, and the 13th time in her career

A’ja Wilson scored in double figures for the 11th time this season and the 119th time in her career (season-high 35 points). She also scored 20 or more points for the 5th time this year, and the 59th time in her career. It is the 8th time in her career that she has scored 30 or more points (career-high is 39). She added 11 rebounds which is the 7th time she has done so this season. It is the 7th double-double of the year for Wilson, and the 44th of her career.

The Aces are now 7-1 in games decided by 10 or more points.

NEXT OPPONENT

The Aces remain on the road this week, traveling to Dallas for a Wednesday, June 15 tilt against the Wings. Tip is slated for 10 am P.