Flaming A'ja Wilson and Aces Fiercely Outshine Kelsey Plum's Comeback in Las Vegas
In Las Vegas, A'ja Wilson spearheaded the Aces' decisive 96-81 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, scoring a season-high 35 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. This triumph came after the Aces suffered a 20-point loss five days earlier.
Jackie Young provided additional support for the Aces, scoring 26 points. Meanwhile, Chelsea Gray contributed 15 points in the victory.
For the Sparks, Kelsey Plum led the charge with 17 points, Odyssey Sims scored 15, and former Ace Dearica Hamby added 14. Despite their efforts, the Sparks were unable to overcome the deficit, with both Plum and coach Lynne Roberts receiving technical fouls during separate disagreements with officials.
The Aces (3-2) were expected to challenge for the WNBA title but endured a slow start to the season, which included a 102-82 defeat at Seattle on Sunday. The Sparks (2-5), on the other hand, were without Rickea Jackson, who was unavailable due to personal reasons.
Notable spectators included Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard and Hall of Famer Tina Thompson.
A'ja Wilson's 35-point performance against the Sparks marked her highest score since a 41-point outing on September 1, 2025 at Phoenix. Wilson has been a standout player this season, averaging 23.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, and a career-best 4.4 assists per game[1][2].
The Aces' victory over the Sparks was a significant step forward for the team, which is aiming to contend for the title[3]. As the season progresses, the Aces will continue to rely on Wilson's leadership and the team's collective efforts to achieve their goals.
Sources:[1] Bontemps, Tim. "A'ja Wilson is rising to meet the Aces' high expectations." ESPN. May 31, 2025.[2] O'Connor, Alex. "Las Vegas Aces - Team Stats - 2025 WNBA Season - ESPN." ESPN. June 01, 2025.[3] Vrentas, Kelsey. "Las Vegas Aces win in home opener, hoping to live up to title aspirations." Las Vegas Review-Journal. June 01, 2025.[4] Williams, Jordan. "How A'ja Wilson's historic performance led the Aces to victory." The Athletic. June 01, 2025.
A'ja Wilson showcased her skills once again, scoring a career-best 4.4 assists per game while representing the Aces in California. In Los Angeles, she scored 35 points against the Sparks, further cementing her position as a key player in the team's title contention efforts. Despite the Sparks' best attempts, led by Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby, the Aces emerged victorious, aiming to maintain their progress throughout the WNBA season.