A’ja Wilson powers the Aces past the Sparks, clinching at least a No. 3 seed
In a thrilling showdown, A’ja Wilson led the Aces to a decisive 89-79 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. The four-time MVP scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, securing a spot in the playoffs for Las Vegas with at least a No. 3 seed. The Aces, on a six-game winning streak, will enjoy home-court advantage in the first round, which kicks off on Sunday.
If the current standings remain unchanged, they will face the No. 6 seed Washington in a best-of-three series. Chelsea Gray led the Aces with 17 points, while Stephanie Talbot and Jackie Young contributed 14 points each and 11 assists respectively. For the Sparks, Nneka Ogwumike, honored before tip-off, scored 17 points, while Erica Wheeler added 16.
The Aces capitalized on a 15-point first-quarter surge, leading by 17 points at one point. Despite the Sparks' late rally, they couldn't overcome the deficit. Ogwumike, an eight-time All-Star and 2016 MVP, received a floral bouquet and a standing ovation from the crowd before the game. She also serves as the president of the players’ union.
The Sparks, without Dearica Hamby (left knee) and Cameron Brink (right ankle), will close their season with a Thursday night game against Golden State.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
