LAS VEGAS -- If Sunday’s 27-point loss to the Golden State Valkyries was a new low for the Las Vegas Aces, Monday’s decisive 97-89 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks may as well be rock bottom.
The Aces went down by as many as 20 points early in the second quarter, but made their way back within five points in the third after regaining relative control of the game. All hope was lost, however, with 1:17 remaining in the third quarter when former Ace De’Arica Hamby hit Wilson with an unintentional elbow to the head while going up for a contested layup. Wilson is going to be evaluated by a doctor tomorrow, according to coach Becky Hammon.
Wilson was ruled out for the remainder of the game with the Aces still within striking distance. Given the lack of offensive support the three-time MVP has gained from her teammates this season, any idea of a comeback without her on the floor was a lost cause at best. The Aces allowed 95+ points for the third time in five games, proving they aren’t particularly decent on either end of the floor.
Las Vegas did get two solid scoring performances out of Wilson’s running mates, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. Young led all scorers with 34 points on 12-of-24 shooting despite being held scoreless in the first quarter. Gray added 28 points on 7-of-13 shooting, her highest regular-season scoring total since she scored 33 points against the Seattle Storm on August 14, 2022.
The performance of the Aces’ backcourt was just about the only thing to write home about for the team on Wednesday. Las Vegas combined to score just three total bench points and Jewell Loyd again struggled to find any rhythm, being held below 10 points for the fifth time in eight games.
Second-year Sparks forward Rickea Jackson paced her team with a strong scoring performance in her own right. Jackson tallied 30 points, 14 of those in the first quarter, on 11-of-17 from the field and 4-of-8 from 3-point range. Dearica Hamby added 19 points and eight rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting, while Kelsey Plum scored a less efficient 13 points on 2-of-7 shooting.
The Los Angeles Sparks had a hot hand throughout, making 33-of-58 attempts (56.9 percent) from the field overall and 9-of-20 (45 percent) from 3-point range. Conversely, the Aces shot just 27-of-72 (37.5 percent) overall and 9-of-35 (25.7 percent) from beyond the arc.