FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Sparks - Game 32 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Sparks – Game 32 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Las Vegas Aces (28-4) | Los Angeles Sparks (13-18)

 

The Las Vegas Aces fumbled the bag, losing for the first time at home this season to the Los Angeles Sparks, 78-72.

The Aces vs Sparks played at the Michelob ULTRA Arena on Saturday.

The Las Vegas Aces lost on their home court for the first time this season, falling 78-72 to the Los Angeles Sparks due to a rough shooting night for the Aces, who went 8-of-32 (25 percent) from 3.

The Aces also connected on just 36 percent (27-of-75 FGs) of their field goals in the team’s second-lowest shooting performance this year.

Los Angeles hadn’t beaten Las Vegas in the past 13 meetings between the two teams, which was the longest streak in the league heading into the contest.

A’ja Wilson had 25 points (10-of-21 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), nine rebounds, and three steals to lead Las Vegas, but she missed several attempts to tie the game up with a minute remaining in regulation.

On a higher note, Wilson topped the 20-point mark for a WNBA-leading 23rd time this season. It was also the 97th 20+ point game of her career which ties her with Skylar Diggins-Smith for 19th on the WNBA’s career list.

The Sparks handled business against the Aces

Despite Wilson’s best efforts, the rest of the squad underperformed. 

The start of the Aces vs Sparks’ first half. 

Kelsey Plum had 12 points (4-of-13 FGs, 2-for-7 3s) and two steals, Jackie Young had 11 points (4-of-9 FGs, 1-for-5 3s), five assists, and four steals, and Chelsea Gray had 10 points (4-of-12 FGs, 1-for-5 3s), four rebounds, and seven assists.

For Los Angeles, Layshia Clarendon led the Sparks with a team-high 22 points (6-of-9 FGs, 9-of-9 FTs), five rebounds, and five assists.

Also for Los Angeles, Jordin Canada produced 20 points (8-of-15 FGs, 4-for-8 3s) and three steals, while Nneka Ogwumike had 19 points (7-of-11 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), 11 rebounds, four steals, and two blocks.

Las Vegas didn’t start well, as they had six turnovers within the first seven minutes of the game, with Young having three of them.

The end of the Aces vs Sparks’ first half. 

Wilson put the Aces on the board first, scoring the team’s first 10 points of the game, however, a 14-0 run by Los Angeles placed Las Vegas behind by 10 points.

The start of the Aces vs Sparks second half. 

In the first quarter, the Sparks out-shot the Aces 66.7 percent (10-of-15 FGs) to 35.3 percent (6-of-17 FGs) from the field and 80 percent (4-of-5 3s) to 16.7 percent (1-of-6 3s) from distance. Las Vegas also gave up eight points on six turnovers.

The Sparks went up 26-15 early in the second quarter. However, Las Vegas responded with a 12-2 run slicing Los Angeles’ advantage to one, 28-27. The Sparks countered, scoring the final eight points of the first half to take a 42-36 halftime lead.

The Aces remained cold as they made just 30 percent (6-of-20 FGs) from the field, but they improved their 3-point shooting to 38.5 percent (5-of-13 3s). Los Angeles owned the paint, scoring 14 points to the Aces’ two while also shooting 43.8 percent (7-of-16 FGs) from the field.

It wasn’t pretty, but the Aces were still in it despite shooting 34.5 percent from the floor and 27.6 percent from 3.

That wouldn’t last forever, as Los Angeles extended its lead to 50-40. However, Las Vegas was able to battle back with an 11-2 run to close the third quarter. The Aces capitalized on the Sparks’ seven miscues with seven points.

Los Angeles still held a two-point lead early, 61-59, but an 8-0 run by the Sparks stretched the gap to double figures (69-59) midway through the final quarter. Las Vegas managed to outscore Los Angeles 11-3 over the next three-plus minutes to make it a two-point game. However, they only scored two points down the stretch, coming up short in their comeback attempt. 

The Aces made 40 percent (8-of-20 FGs) of their field goals in the final period, while the Sparks netted 58.3 percent (7-of-12 FGs) of their shots.

The final score of the Aces vs Sparks was 78-72, Sparks.

The Aces will now take on the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, August 22nd, at 4:00 PM PST.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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