LAS VEGAS (June 27, 2022)—The Las Vegas snapped their two-game losing skid Monday evening behind a 29-point performance from Kelsey Plum, and a 25-point, 11-rebound effort from A’ja Wilson in a 79-73 road win over Los Angeles.
KEY RUNS
First Quarter (Los Angeles 26, Las Vegas 21)
Tied at 4 apiece, the Sparks scored the next 8 points to go up 12-4. A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum combined to score 13 of the Aces 21 points. The Sparks shot 57.1 percent from the field in the period.
Second Quarter (Las Vegas 40, Los Angeles 36)
The Sparks led 34-29 with 5:28 to go, but the Aces closed the quarter scoring 11 of the final 13 points. A’ja Wilson led all scorers in the first 20 minutes of play with 17 points. The Sparks made 12.5 percent of their shots in the period, including 1 of 9 three-pointers.
Third Quarter (Las Vegas 59, Los Angeles 59)
The Aces led 50-45 with 5:48 on the clock, when Los Angeles went on a 10-2 run to re-take the lead. Lexie Brown made two triples during the run, and Katie Lou Samuelson added one of her own. Kelsey Plum scored 10 points in the period for the Aces, while Lexie Brown scored 9 for the Sparks.
Fourth Quarter (Las Vegas 79, Los Angeles 73)
Los Angeles cut the Aces lead to one, 74-73 with 2:30 remaining. Las Vegas scored 5 straight to close out the game.
KEY STATS
It has been 836 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered.
The Aces made 42.6 percent of their shots compared to 38.4 percent for the Sparks.
Las Vegas went 19 for 26 from the free throw line, while the Sparks went 10 for 15.
GAME NOTES
Riquna Williams saw her first action since May 17, checking in with 3:43 to go in the first quarter.
Chelsea Gray was not with the team (personal). Kierstan Bell picked up her first start as a pro in Gray’s place.
The Aces 14-4 start is tied for the best 18-game start in franchise history (2020 and 2021).
Kelsey Plum scored in double figures for the 25th straight game and the 82nd time in her career (29 points). She also connected on 4 three-pointer, making it 25 straight games in which she has connected on at least one from long distance—the longest active streak in the league.
A’ja Wilson scored in double figures for the 16th time this season and the 124th time in her career (25 points). It is her 8th game of 20 or more points this year, and the 62nd of her career. She added 11 rebounds for her league-leading 10th double-double of the season, and the 47th of her career. That is the second most double-doubles since Wilson came into the league (Sylvia Fowles, 60).
Jackie Young handed out a season-high 7 assists.
Kelsey Plum went 4 for 7 from three-point range, while the rest of the team went 4 for 20.
NEXT OPPONENT
The Aces remain on the road, traveling to Seattle for a Wednesday, June 29 tilt against the Storm. Tip is slated for 7:00 pm PT on My LVTV.