LOS ANGELES—Dearica Hamby finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, and the Los Angeles Sparks recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season by dispatching the Las Vegas Aces 96–92 on Sunday night, June 9.
Rookie Rickea Jackson and Aari McDonald scored 16 points apiece for Los Angeles (4–7), which recovered from a 15-point deficit in the first quarter to defeat the two-time defending WNBA champions.
A'ja Wilson registered 31 points, eight rebounds, and a season-high six blocked shots for the Aces (5–4), who have dropped three of their past four games. Wilson scored at least 20 points for the 14th consecutive game, breaking the league record she had shared with Diana Taurasi (2006–07).
Kelsey Plum scored 24 points and Tiffany Hayes had 17 off the bench for Las Vegas. Rookie Kate Martin added 13 for the Aces, who continue to play without Chelsea Gray (foot), while fellow all-star Jackie Young (illness) also sat out Sunday.
The contest was a Commissioner’s Cup game for both teams. Los Angeles is 2–2 and Las Vegas is 1–2 in such matchups.
The Sparks led 78–71 after Stephanie Talbot’s jumper with 8:29 left in the contest. The Aces then exploded for 11 straight points, including the last five by Plum, to take an 82–78 lead with 4:24 remaining.
The Sparks answered with eight consecutive points, a stretch capped by back-to-back 3-pointers from Rae Burrell, to take an 86–82 advantage with 2:47 left. A three-point play by Jackson gave Los Angeles a 91–86 lead with 1:42 remaining.
The Aces later moved within 94–92 on Wilson’s 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left, before McDonald made two free throws to seal it.
The Sparks made 49.2 percent of their shots, including 10 of 25 from 3-point range. The Aces connected on 44.1 percent and were 11 of 26 from behind the arc.
The Sparks used a 16–6 run at the outset of the third quarter to take a 59–50 lead on Kia Nurse’s 3-pointer with 5:39 remaining. The lead was 67–57 after rookie Cameron Brink drained a trey with 3:21 left in the quarter, and the Sparks later took a 74–65 advantage entering the final period.
Las Vegas started the game strong with 14 straight points and later led 22–7. Los Angeles took its first lead at 30–28 on Jackson’s basket with 6:21 left in the second quarter. Wilson had 16 points in the first half for the Aces, who led 44–43 at the break.
