Full Breakdown
Aces Edge Sparks 79-69 in Las Vegas
6/3/2026, 1:07:22 PM
Game Summary
The Las Vegas Aces beat the Los Angeles Sparks 79-69 on June 2, 2026, at the Sparks’ arena. An 15-point third-quarter surge gave the Aces a cushion, and a late Sparks push narrowed the gap to five with under three minutes left.
Sparks Context
The Sparks entered at 4-5, missing guard Kelsey Plum with a right-ankle sprain for a fourth game. They had just lost 84-81 to Connecticut and were shooting a season-low 30.8 %.
Standout Performances
Rae Burrell recorded a career-high 22 points on 7-10 shooting. Nneka Ogwumike added 12 points and 12 rebounds, moving into fifth on the WNBA rebounding list. A’ja Wilson posted 25 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks; Jackie Young had 16 points and nine assists; Chelsea Gray contributed 12 points and 11 assists.
Statistics Snapshot
The Sparks shot 30.8 % overall, making 12 of 51 attempts after Burrell’s effort. The Aces’ third-quarter 8-0 run gave them a 57-42 lead. Dearica Hamby went 0-7, her first scoreless night since July 9, 2023. Wilson’s 555 career blocks moved her into eighth place all-time.
Official Statements
Coach Lynne Roberts linked the Sparks’ 30 % shooting to shot quality, noting that low percentages make winning difficult. She stressed that execution and proper positioning are essential. Forward Nneka Ogwumike called for clearer role understanding, noting the team failed to show it.
Criticism
Roberts blamed poor execution, missed screens and low-quality shots for the shooting slump. She highlighted Plum’s absence, calling her “the head of the snake,” and warned the offense would struggle without her.
Injury Conflict
Las Vegas reports on Chennedy Carter differed: some listed her “questionable” with a left-leg issue, later saying she was ruled out, while the game recap omitted her. Jewell Loyd was also listed as questionable and did not play; Dana Evans remained sidelined with a leg injury.
Upcoming Games
The Sparks host Dallas Friday to avoid a three-game skid. The Aces host Golden State Saturday.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’ve got to be better offensively and we’re going rogue, sometimes we’re not executing and it’s inexcusable, we’ve got to be better, but defensively, I thought we were in gaps…” — Lynne Roberts, Sparks head coach
- “Let’s not lose sight of the fact that KP really is the head of the snake in terms of the system, and we don’t have her,” — Lynne Roberts, Sparks head coach
- “We have to have, we have to have an understanding of our roles on the offensive end, and tonight we definitely did not show that,” — Nneka Ogwumike, Sparks forward
- “It’s not often that you have a coach that you know will take that amount of responsibility on a game that obviously we were out there playing,” — Nneka Ogwumike, Sparks forward
