Los Angeles, CA – The Las Vegas Aces come from behind with a 94-85 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.
The Aces had four players in double figures for the game, the hot hand in first half and the game was Jackie Young with game high 30 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assist.
At 3:05 in 3rd quarter the Aces tied the score at 59 battling back. After a Sparks turnover the Aces took the lead 61-59 with smooth jump shot in the paint. The Aces kept pushing taking a 3rd quarter 4-point lead 67-63.
While playing with the lead the Aces took the Sparks best shot and never gave back the momentum.
“We talked in the locker room after the game and said in this league there is no moral victories,” said coach Miller, “I thought we did good, but credit to defending champions Aces for a great performance.”
The short-handed Sparks found a way to keep the ball moving in the first half to lead 46-36. The Sparks only had eight players for the game.
The biggest name missing from today line up was the heart of the team Nneka Ogwumike #30 who was listed as injury/illness – non-COVID illness.
Sparks guard Lexie Brown jumped out with 12 points in first half to lead the Sparks. Fellow forward Chiney Ogwumike lead the Sparks scoring 19 points but being in a little foul trouble.
“We are fearless team,” said Ogwumike #13 “We are LA!, … this is a team who is bought in.”
For the Aces Young took control leading all scores with 13 points and 2 rebounds.
1st year Sparks coach Kurt Miller knew his defense would have to lead to a strong offense. The Aces showed in their road opener they destroyed the Seattle Storm 105-64.
The Aces could not stay out the view of the referees whistle all night with fouls for the whole team. But in the end they showed resilience while coming away with a strong victory moving to 2-0 record.
The Sparks will travel to Las Vegas for their first road game verse this same team. Now the record moving to 1-1 to begin the 2023 season.
