Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson, left, and Las Vegas Aces guard Kate Martin collide during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (12-7) six game winning streak came to an end Friday night losing to the Los Angeles Sparks (5-15) 97-93 at Crypto.com Arena. The Sparks led for most of the game and Las Vegas just fell apart in overtime. The fourth quarter was a crazy ten minutes of basketball with the Sparks hanging onto this game.

Los Angeles came up with some great defense throughout the game and Las Vegas trailed for too much of the game. Dearica Hamby had a terrific game for the Sparks in the win. A’ja Wilson finished with 35 points and 12 rebounds unable to push the Aces over the top.

Game recap: There is nothing a struggling team enjoys more than playing spoiler and the Aces would have their hands full with the Sparks. This game was a close one after the first ten minutes of play with the Aces leading by a basket 24-21.

Los Angeles came into the game with a lot of energy playing in front of their home crowd. Mid-way through the second quarter this game was tied at seven in a low scoring defensive quarter. When the dust had settled on the first half of this game the Sparks had not only won the quarter 25-12 but had also taken the lead 46-36. The turnovers were troublesome with the Aces committing six to the Sparks one turnover. Las Vegas had a lot of work to do in the second half.

The Sparks continued to extend their lead and with 7:50 left in the third had taken a 15 point lead 53-38. Los Angles was playing with a lot of confidence keeping the defending champs contained and with 6:07 left in the quarter the starters came back on the floor looking to make this game manageable going into the final quarter. Las Vegas was fighting to climb back into this game. After three quarters Los Angeles continued to hang onto the lead 70-60.

As of late Las Vegas has been a fourth quarter team and with under six minutes left in the game the Aces trailed by a couple of points 74-72. Las Vegas came alive with 5:25 left to play taking a one point lead 75-74.

This was still anyone’s game and the Aces would have to dig deep to come out with a win. With under two minutes left in the game it was all knotted up at 81. The Sparks got a technical and Kelsey Plum made the free throw and it was Aces ball.

With 56 ticks left on the clock the Aces had a one-point lead 82-81, the ball in the Sparks possession. This game went down to the wire. With 16.8 left to play the game was again tied up at 82 as Las Vegas took a time out.

In a beautifully designed play, Chelsea Gray passed the ball to A’ja Wilson who scored under the basket taking the lead 84-82 but with 3.1 this game was hardly over. The Sparks tied up the game and Kelsey Plum took the last shot in regulation a wide open shot for the win missing and this game went into overtime.

With one minutes left in overtime the Aces trailed 92-90. Las Vegas came up just short in the 98-93 loss breaking their six-game winning streak. It was a major disappointment for the Aces. They struggled through the second quarter giving the Sparks a 46-36 lead at the half and despite how close this game was, Los Angeles hung in until the bitter end and walked away with the win.

Game notes: Friday night the Aces lost at Crypto.com Arena to the Los Angeles Sparks who won only their fifth game this season. The Aces dropped their seventh game for the season snapping a six game win streak.

The Aces had been on a roll for quite awhile and showed no signs of backing down. Kelsey Plum has had a couple of terrific games in their wins against the Mystics Thursday night and against the Fever last Tuesday against the Sparks Plum was second in scoring with 21 points.

A’ja Wilson led the Aces in scoring with 35 points but couldn’t do it all in the loss. Wilson continues to play a key role as does Jackie Young who had 18 points and seven rebounds and Kiah Stokes scored two points and had eight rebounds and has been a defensive wonder.

Chelsea Gray had gotten onboard with three points, three rebounds and six assists. The Aces were firing on all cylinders offensively and defensively before Friday night’s loss to the lowly Sparks.

Sunday afternoon the Aces will take on the Dallas Wings in Las Vegas. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 12:30 as Las Vegas will be looking to get back on the winning track.