Las Vegas Aces Downs Los Angeles Sparks As Defending Champions Bounce Back From Season-Opening Loss

Out of all the teams pushing for the championship this year, the Las Vegas Aces have all the focus. Having won the title last year, the team is looking to continue its WNBA surge in 2026. And this is not about last year only. In the previous four seasons, the Aces have managed to clinch the title thrice. 

With A’ja Wilson remaining the mainstay of the team, Las Vegas is dreaming again. To aid her, the likes of Chennedy Carter, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray form a commendable trio. Surprisingly, despite the positives, the team went down in their season opener. Thankfully, the champions bounced back immediately.

Chennedy Carter Impresses As Las Vegas Aces Dominates Sparks

With a lot of hype around the team’s season opener, Las Vegas received its championship rings in the last game. Unfortunately, taking on the Phoenix Mercury, the team put up a dismal performance, suffering a 33-point loss. Thus, coming into the second game, Becky Hammon’s team was under a lot of pressure. 

Thankfully, as they took on the Los Angeles Sparks, Vegas’ champions instinct took over. Putting on a stellar performance, the Aces thoroughly dominated the game to defeat the Sparks with a 105-78 scoreline. Coming into the game, Hammon asked her team to show a better defensive game.

A’ja Wilson vs Los Angeles Sparks:
105-78, Aces

19 PTS
4 REB
3 AST
1 STL
2 BLK
7/14 FG
5/6 FT pic.twitter.com/lsPL2ZpxNF

— WNBAGamecocks (@WNBAGamecocks) May 11, 2026

And her girls did not disappoint. At the end of the first quarter, Vegas was already in the lead with a 23-14 scoreline. As the Sparks tried to put up some resilience in the second quarter, Hammon’s team did not allow Los Angeles to settle in. Dropping 33 and 30 points in the third and fourth quarters, respectively, the defending champions proved their worth. 

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As Chennedy Carter top-scored with 22 points, she was ably aided by her teammates. 

How Did A’ja Wilson And Others Perform For Las Vegas Aces?

It was an overall team game that brought the much-awaited victory. Alongside Carter, Jackie Young looked impressive with her 20 points and nine assists. Wilson, the last year’s MVP, dropped 19 points and two blocks, while NaLyssa Smith and Chelsea Gray chipped in with 12 and 16, respectively.

Elated with the outcome, Hammon said, “I have a lot of trust built up, especially with that core group. I trust their feel, I trust their character, I trust their competitiveness. So building that trust, it’s there, we just have to reestablish it. … We can be elite when our communication, and our physicality and trust, is there.”

Thus, with a lot of positives coming up, fans are eager to see what’s next.