The Sparks opened their season with a tough lesson: to beat the defending champions, you need more than just heart. Despite a strong individual performance from Kelsey Plum, who dropped a game-high 27 points, Los Angeles couldn't keep pace with the Las Vegas Aces, falling 105-78 in a lopsided season opener.
The Aces came out firing, shooting an impressive 63% from the floor and putting five players in double figures. Reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson led the charge with 19 points, while Jackie Young added 20 points and nine assists. Nneka Ogwumike made her return to the Sparks count with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Chennedy Carter chipped in 22 points in her first WNBA game since 2024. But it wasn't enough to overcome the Aces' balanced attack.
Las Vegas set the tone early, pounding the paint for 26 points in the first half and converting 14 free throws compared to just seven for the Sparks. They shot a blistering 68.8% in the opening quarter to build a 29-14 lead. The Sparks struggled with ball security, committing nine turnovers in the first half that the Aces turned into 10 points.
Los Angeles showed signs of life late in the second quarter, sparked by an Ogwumike three-pointer and a backhand layup that cut the deficit to one at halftime. The Sparks' defense stepped up, forcing 10 turnovers with Ariel Atkins and Erica Wheeler each recording two steals. But the Aces quickly regained control, stretching the lead back to nine after a pair of turnovers.
The third quarter proved decisive, as the Aces exploded for 33 points on 73.7% shooting, exposing the Sparks' defensive struggles. Last season, Los Angeles had the worst defense in the WNBA, allowing 88.2 points per game, and those issues resurfaced at the worst time. Even with 15 offensive rebounds to the Aces' six, the Sparks couldn't generate enough efficient offense to keep pace.
For the Sparks, this loss is a reminder of the gap between them and the league's elite. Plum scored 11 of her points in the fourth quarter, but by then the damage was done. The Aces, coming off a 33-point loss to Phoenix the day before, showed no signs of fatigue and proved why they're still the team to beat.