WNBA title favourites Las Vegas Aces start season with victory over Los Angeles Sparks
Wednesday 29 May 2019 07:42, UK
A'ja Wilson notched a double-double as she led the Las Vegas Aces to an 83-70 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks in their WNBA season opener.
Los Angeles Sparks 70-83 Las Vegas Aces
A'ja Wilson had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Las Vegas Aces to an 83-70 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks in the season opener for both teams.
The Aces, who were preseason favourites to win this year's title, were without recent acquisition and last year's WNBA leading scorer Liz Cambage, who is still healing from Achilles tendinitis she suffered during the offseason.
So, instead, the Aces turned to Wilson - last year's WNBA Rookie of the Year - for inspiration and she was ably assisted by a supporting cast headlined by Kayla McBride, who scored 20.
Kelsey Plum also added 11 for the Aces and Dearica Hamby, who was given a new contract in the offseason, came off the bench to post an impressive double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds. Jackie Young, the top overall pick in the March draft, was four for four from the field for eight points.
Los Angeles, without two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury, were led by Russian center Maria Vadeeva, who tallied 24 points and five rebounds while Nneka Ogwumike added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Sparks.
The Aces found their offensive groove midway through the first quarter after the Sparks grabbed the momentum early and opened the game with a 17-12 lead. The Aces responded with a 13-2 run, sparked by a pair of three-pointers from McBride.
Then, behind the solid play of Hamby, the Aces were able to carry the momentum into the second quarter where a strong defensive effort saw them out score Los Angeles 18-8 in the frame. It took the Sparks until the 5:16 mark to get their first field goal, as Las Vegas opened the second stanza with a 9-0 run.
Los Angeles' physical style sent the Aces to the free throw line 15 times in the first half. Las Vegas took full advantage hitting 13 from line, while shooting 4 of 9 from three-point range. The Aces outrebounded the Sparks in the first half, 24-19, and outscored Los Angeles with second-chance points, 8-0.
Once the Aces got going, they pulled away, building a 45-31 halftime lead and they remained comfortable throughout the rest of the game to cruise to victory in their first clash of the new campaign.
