LOS ANGELES — Sparks guard Kelsey Plum scored a game-high 27 points against her former team, but the Sparks were overmatched in the second half and were blown out by the Las Vegas Aces, 105-78, in their season opener on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.
“Coming out of halftime, they just punched us in the face,” Plum said. “We didn’t respond.”
“I’m more disappointed in our effort,” Plum continued. “It’s one thing to lose, it’s one thing to have a tough shooting night but overall as a team and as leader, I hear [teammate] Nneka [Ogwumike], I need to look in the mirror and figure out how to impact winning and defensively we have to be better. We’re not the Los Angeles Sparks of last year.”
POSTGAME: Kelsey Plum, Coach Lynne Roberts and Nneka Ogwumike’s full post game media conference after the Sparks 105-78 blowout loss at home against the Las Vegas Aces. pic.twitter.com/gnUdJ7NqYD
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) May 11, 2026
Sparks forward Ogwumike had a double-double with 19 points (3 of 5 from 3-point range) and 10 rebounds in her first game back with the team after playing the past two seasons with Seattle. Ogwumike was the Sparks’ No. 1 draft pick in 2012.
“It’s always great to be back here,” Ogwumike said. “I’m so grateful to be back where it all started, especially with Coach Lynne and KP and the squad that we have together. I was feeling the feels but all I can think about right now is how I feel like we disappointed the people that came to the home opener. Playing here even before I left, that was not it. That’s not the standard we operate by.”
Forward Dearica Hamby added 12 points for the Sparks, who never led but shook off a sluggish start to trim a 16-point first-half deficit to 42-41 by halftime with Plum and Ogwumike scoring 28 of the hosts’ first-half points.
“We can play harder,” second-year Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said, “and we will.”
The Aces (1-1) had five players score in double figures: former Sparks guard Chennedy Carter (22), Jackie Young (20 points, nine assists), A’ja Wilson (19), former Sparks guard Chelsea Gray (16) and NaLyssa Smith (12). They began the second half on a 12-4 run and to build a 54-45 advantage less than four minutes into the third quarter.
From then on, it was all Las Vegas, which won the third quarter by a 33-18 margin. The visitors broke the game open with a 21-11 run in the latter portion of the period and held a 75-59 lead going into the fourth. Carter keyed the decisive surge with seven points off the bench during the run. She capped the quarter with a jumper just before the buzzer.
The Aces shot 62.3% from the field for the game, including a torrid 36 for 49 on 2-point attempts, while holding the Sparks to 37.2%. The efficient Aces scored 28 of their 43 made field goals off of assists and also took advantage of 19 Sparks turnovers.
“Today was on us,” Ogwumike explained. “Defense is not something that gels; you either want to do it or you don’t.”
The Aces closed the first quarter on a 14-0 run for a 29-14 lead, but the Sparks chipped away at the defending champs’ early lead.
Ogwumike stormed down the lane for a layup that got the Sparks within 39-34 with 2:06 left in the first half. About a minute later, the 15-year veteran drained a 3-pointer, then her reverse layup cut it 42-41 with 15.4 seconds remaining in the first half.
Win or lose, Roberts had some non-negotiables she wanted to see before the game.
“I want us to play with pace,” Roberts said. “Play with space. Early in the season, you’re still trying to forge your identity as a team.”
Sparks forward Cameron Brink, the primary backup for Ogwumike and Hamby, was held scoreless in eight minutes. Brink grabbed three rebounds but had three fouls and three turnovers.
“We need Cam to produce,” Roberts said. “We need Cam to bring that defensive energy. We have so much confidence and belief in her. She’s got to get out on the floor with some confidence and do what she’s capable of doing. We’re going to need her.”
ROSTER ADDITION
The Sparks signed Kate Martin to a development contract on Sunday after she was waived by the Golden State Valkyries a few days earlier.
Martin, who played college basketball alongside Caitlin Clark at Iowa, said she chose to sign with Sparks because of how they approached her.
“I chose L.A. because of the way they approached me,” Martin said. “They wanted me here.”
Kate Martin’s emotional interview after signing a developmental contract with the LA Sparks after being waived this week by the Golden State Valkyries. pic.twitter.com/cKlJFqpb8m
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) May 10, 2026
ATKINS DEBUTS
Veteran defensive-minded guard Ariel Atkins made her Sparks debut, finishing with eight points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.
“Just some energy and some defensive prowess and a lot of shooting on the outside is what I really want to bring,” Atkins said before the game when asked about her role on the Sparks after being acquired via a trade for Rickea Jackson last month.
Atkins revealed she never thought she would play for a team other than the Washington Mystics, where she won the 2019 WNBA championship after being drafted in 2018.
“It’s absolutely insane to even think that this is my third team,” Atkins continued. “I feel like at one point I never knew if I would ever play in L.A., so it’s pretty dope to be here and be in these colors.”
Exclusive: All-Star guard Ariel Atkins before playing her first game with Los Angeles Sparks.
Atkins won the 2019 WNBA championship with the Washington Mystics and was traded to the Sparks by the Chicago Sky for forward Rickea Jackson. pic.twitter.com/3uYkNbDEtm
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) May 10, 2026
ACES BOUNCE BACK
The Aces used Sunday’s game to bounce back after they were blitzed by the Phoenix Mercury, 99-66, in their home opener after receiving their 2025 WNBA championship rings in a pregame ceremony.
“Every season you start at the bottom of the hill,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “You don’t get to start on the mountain top.”
I’m breaking down the LA Sparks 105-78 loss to the Las Vegas Aces in Sunday’s season opener.
Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike vowed that her team will play better defense against the Indiana Fever.
Sparks guard Kelsey Plum said she was disappointed in the team’s effort. pic.twitter.com/cHQTcaO1aA
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) May 11, 2026
