Connect with us
Dice+

Las Vegas Aces

Aces fall to Sparks in overtime thriller

© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Sparks ended their eight-game losing streak by beating the Las Vegas Aces 98-93, improving to 5-15 on the season. The Aces fall to 12-7, breaking their six-game winning run.

Aces Sparks

The first quarter was a back-and-forth quarter of runs, with the Aces going on a 7-0 run before the Sparks answered with a 7-0 run of their own. There were six lead changes throughout the quarter. It was a duel of former teammates, with former Ace Dearica Hamby scoring 8 points in the quarter and A’ja Wilson leading the Aces with 11 points. Kelsey Plum hit a huge three to end the quarter, putting the Aces up 24-21.

Jackie Young looked to injure her thumb in the second quarter and had to be subbed out at 6:28 with the Aces behind 28–26. Kate Martin made a significant contribution for the Aces, picking up an assist and converting a transition three.

Jackie Young returned to the game with 3:26 left in the second quarter. Following that, the Sparks dominated, outscoring the Aces 25-12 in the quarter and leading by ten at halftime, 46-36. Rookie Rickea Jackson had a monster first half for the Sparks, scoring 13 points on 3-4 from three.

The Sparks opened the second half by outscoring the Aces 7-2, taking a 15-point lead 53-38. Becky Hammon chose to send a message by replacing all five starters with 7:50 remaining in the third quarter.

The Aces cut the deficit to 12 before Hammon substituted in the starters, who reduced the deficit to 5 (59-54) with 3:37 remaining. The Sparks would lead by ten entering the fourth quarter, 70-60.

The fourth quarter saw an increase in intensity, with the Aces going on a 15-4 run to start the period, establishing a 75-74 lead with 5:44 left. These teams would go back and forth after that for the whole quarter featuring multiple ties. A’ja Wilson made a clutch layup, giving her 35 points in the game and putting the Aces up 84-82 with 15 seconds left. Steph Talbot responded with a clutch shot of her own, tying the game with four seconds left. Kelsey Plum would miss the possible game-winning jumper, sending the game into overtime.

Overtime was back and forth, with both teams trading baskets with the game knotted at 90 with 2:07 left before the Sparks scored five consecutive to lead 95-90. Jackie Young hit a tough three to get the Aces within two, 95-93, with 20 seconds left.

The Aces fouled Dearica Hamby, who missed both shots at the line. However, they were unable to grab the rebound, as rookie Rickea Jackson got the biggest rebound of the game. After a timeout, La’s best free throw shooter, Aari McDonald, sank both free throws, giving the Sparks a four-point lead . La went onto to defeat the Aces 98-93 in an overtime thriller.

Box Score

Dearica Hamby, a former Las Vegas Aces big, led the Sparks with 28 points and 14 rebounds. This was Hamby’s 13th double-double of the season, which leads the WNBA.

Rookie Rickea Jackson finished with 14 points, while Stephanie Talbot, who hit the huge shot to force OT, ended with 13 points and nine assists, a career high.

A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 35 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and six blocks.

Kelsey Plum ended with 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, making four three-pointers. This Plum’s third consecutive game with four or more three-pointers.

Jackie Young struggled, scoring just 3 points through three quarters of play before ending with 18 points. Young scored 15 of her 18 points during the fourth quarter and overtime.

The Las Vegas Aces will be back home Sunday to take on the Dallas Wings on July 7th. The game will tip off 12.30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN.

Related Topics

More in Las Vegas Aces