Las Vegas, NV——Los Angeles Sparks snapped the defending champions’ winning streak Saturday night behind a sensational performance from Kelsey Plum, who erupted for a season-high 38 points to lead Los Angeles to a thrilling 101-95 victory over the Las Vegas Aces in Las Vegas.
Plum dominated throughout the night against her former team, combining explosive scoring with playmaking as she also finished with nine assists. But it was veteran guard Erica Wheeler who delivered the game’s biggest shot.
With the score tied late in the fourth quarter, Wheeler buried a deep 27-foot three-pointer off a pass from Plum with 1:15 remaining, giving the Sparks a crucial 97-94 advantage. Las Vegas was unable to recover, missing key perimeter shots and a free throw down the stretch as Los Angeles closed out the upset victory from the foul line.
The Sparks seized momentum early in the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run that turned a tight contest into a seven-point lead. Wheeler capped the surge with another three-pointer to put Los Angeles ahead 80-73.
The Aces, however, refused to go away quietly.
Chelsea Gray tied the game at 90 with a tough jumper in the lane before A’ja Wilson evened the score again at 94 on a pair of free throws. But Wheeler’s late clutch three shifted momentum for good as Los Angeles executed in the closing moments.
Dearica Hamby and Cameron Brink each added 16 points for the Sparks, while Ariel Atkins contributed 11 and Rae Burrell chipped in with 10. Wheeler finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in an all-around performance that proved vital in crunch time.
Wilson once again led Las Vegas with a dominant effort, posting 24 points and 15 rebounds. Carter provided a major spark off the bench with 23 points, while NaLyssa Smith added 22 points in one of her strongest performances of the season. Gray finished with 12 points and Jewell Loyd added 10.
The game featured multiple momentum swings, particularly during a high-scoring third quarter. Las Vegas appeared in control after Smith knocked down a three-pointer to stretch the lead to 57-48, but Plum responded immediately, fueling a Sparks rally with aggressive scoring and timely passing.
Los Angeles eventually surged ahead 60-57 before the teams traded baskets throughout the remainder of the quarter. The Aces carried a slim 73-72 lead into the final period before the Sparks took over late.
The loss ended a four-game winning streak for Las Vegas, which had won 20 of its previous 21 regular-season games dating back to last season, including a dominant 16-game run to close the 2025 campaign.
Los Angeles improved to 3-3 on the season with the statement road victory, while Las Vegas dropped to 4-2.
