FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Sparks - Game 2 - 2023

Video Credit: WNBA

FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Sparks – Game 2 – 2023

Las Vegas Aces (2-0) | Los Angeles Sparks (1-1)

The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 94-85 after Jackie Young posted a career night.

The Aces vs Sparks played at the Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.

*Photo Credit: Katelyn Mulchay/Getty Images*

Jackie Young put up a career-high 30 points (12-of-18 FGs, 4-for-7 3s), three rebounds, and four steals, leading the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces over the Los Angeles Sparks, as they took control in the third quarter en route to a 94-85 win.

Young scored 11 points in the fourth quarter alone, making all of her shots (3-of-3 3s, 2-of-2 FTs).

The Aces improve to 2-0 to begin their season, all without their head coach Becky Hammon. Hammon will return to the bench when the teams play again on Saturday, which will be the home opener for Las Vegas where they will receive their championship rings.

A’ja Wilson overcame a tough start to finish with 19 points (4-of-12 FGs, 11-of-13 FTs), 13 rebounds, and two blocks for Las Vegas. Wilson scored in double figures for the 26^th consecutive regular season game, which is the third-longest active streak in the WNBA.

Wilson also recorded the 56^th double-double of her career, which is the most in franchise history and second-most in the league since she entered the WNBA in 2018.

Chelsea Gray added 16 points (6-of-9 FGs, 2-for-3 3s), eight assists, and two steals, while Candace Parker had 10 points (3-of-7 FGs, 2-for-4 3s) and eight rebounds against her former team.

Jackie Young had a career night

Despite getting on the board first, the Aces found themselves trailing early as the Sparks steadily built a 12-point lead after Karlie Samuelson sank a pair of free throws. Los Angeles continued to hold a double-digit lead through the end of the first quarter.

The start of the Aces vs Sparks first half.

Aces vs Sparks Chelsea Grey — *Photo Credit: Katelyn Mulchay/Getty Images*

The Aces, who received four points a piece from Wilson and Young, were held to just 35.3 percent (6-of-17 FGs) shooting, including 16.7 percent (1-of-6 3s) from distance, while the Sparks made 50 percent (9-of-18 FGs) of their shots in the quarter.

The Aces turned the ball over five times in the period. Also, Lexie Brown had 10 points after the first 10 minutes.

Las Vegas began to close the gap, however, cutting the deficit to four points, 38-34, with 2:13 left in the half, but at the midway point, the Sparks were again up by double figures, 46-36. Young, who scored nine points on 4-of-7 from the field in the second quarter, had 13 points by halftime.

Down by 10 points at halftime, Las Vegas rallied by making 12-of-16 shots to outscore the Sparks 31-17 and take a 67-63 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Wilson scored six straight points before Young had consecutive layups to put the Aces up 61-59.

In the deciding third quarter, the Aces patiently chipped away at Los Angeles’ edge. With 3:31 on the clock, a driving layup by Wilson had Las Vegas within two points, 59-57. The Aces then shot out on a 10-4 run, receiving four points a piece from Gray and Young to close the quarter up 67-63. By the end of the period, Wilson had her 56th-straight double-double after recording eight points and six boards in the quarter alone.

The end of the Aces vs Sparks first half.

After hitting just 39.4 percent (13-of-33 FGs) of their field goal attempts in the first half, the Aces shot 75 percent in the third quarter. The Aces also notched 13 rebounds in the third after grabbing just 15 boards total in the first half.

The start of the Aces vs Sparks second half.

Chiney Ogwumike led the Sparks with 19 points (8-of-16 FGs), eight rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Brown had 15 points (6-of-9 FGs, 2-for-4 3s), three rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Brown made all four of her shots, including two 3-pointers, to help the Sparks take a 25-15 lead after the first quarter.

Los Angeles’ Brown entered the game with a career shooting percentage of 38.9 percent. She opened the game with a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and finished making 6-of-9 shots.

The Aces made 52.5 percent of their shots on the night compared to 42.1 percent for the Sparks.

Despite the victory, Las Vegas committed 20 turnovers which the Sparks turned into 22 points. That is the most turnovers the Aces have had in a game during the Hammon era.

The final score of the Aces vs Sparks was 94-85, Aces.