Aces roll Sparks in WNBA opener

Los Angeles opens its 30th season with Nneka Ogwumike’s return to the ballclub

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Sparks opened their 30th season on Mother’s Day with the emotion of Nneka Ogwumike’s return, the star power of the defending champion Las Vegas Aces and a reminder that a new identity takes more than one night to build.

The Sparks fell 105-78 to Las Vegas on Sunday in front of 12,266 fans at Crypto.com Arena, topping last season’s home-opening crowd of 11,170.

The Aces improved to 1-1 after losing their own home opener to the Phoenix Mercury, 99-66, one night earlier. Las Vegas used Sunday’s game as a response. The Sparks now get their own chance to respond Wednesday against the Indiana Fever.

Nneka’s Return Was Felt Early

Before the game got away from Los Angeles, Ogwumike’s presence was felt. The crowd gave her a standing ovation during introductions, welcoming back one of the most important players in Sparks history.

Ogwumike’s first made basket back as a Spark came from three-point range, giving Los Angeles its first three-pointer of the night. She later scored inside during the Sparks’ second-quarter push and finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Her return felt natural, like she never left. But the final score showed that presence alone does not close the gap against a championship team.

Sparks Found Life in the Second Quarter

The Sparks did not start clean. Las Vegas jumped ahead 29-14 after the first quarter, using its pace, shot-making and depth to put Los Angeles on its heels early.

But the second quarter showed the bright moments the Sparks can build from. Los Angeles outscored Las Vegas 27-13 in the period and scored 19 of the final 24 points in the half to trail only 42-41 at halftime. Ogwumike had 15 points by the break, while Kelsey Plum helped carry the offense and kept pressure on the Aces’ defense.

For a new group still learning each other, that second quarter mattered. It showed there is something there. It also showed how much polish is still needed.

Aces Respond Like Champions

Las Vegas came into Los Angeles after being embarrassed in its own opener. Phoenix spoiled the Aces’ ring ceremony with a 99-66 win Saturday, making Sunday a chance for Las Vegas to redeem itself quickly.

The Aces did exactly that.

After halftime, Las Vegas punched first. The Aces outscored the Sparks 33-18 in the third quarter and took a 75-59 lead into the fourth. The Sparks had good looks, but they could not convert enough of them, while Las Vegas found rhythm and punished mistakes.

The shooting difference told the story. The Sparks shot 29-for-78 from the field, just 37.2 percent, while the Aces shot 43-for-69, a strong 62.3 percent. Los Angeles went 9-for-31 from three, while Las Vegas went 7-for-20. The Sparks got attempts, but the Aces were more efficient with theirs.

“We missed some uncharacteristic open looks,” Roberts said. “I think that got in our heads a little bit. Defensively, they kind of punched first.”

That third quarter became the difference between a competitive opener and a clear reminder of what championship execution looks like.

Plum Carries the Offense

Plum gave the Sparks a strong offensive night, finishing with 27 points on 10-for-18 shooting and 4-for-8 from three. She scored 12 straight points for the Sparks in the fourth quarter and continued to show the scoring punch Los Angeles will need from her.

But after the game, Plum did not frame the night around her scoring.

“I need to look in the mirror and figure out how to impact winning,” Plum said.

She also made it clear the Sparks cannot be the same team defensively that they were last year.

“Defensively, we got to be better,” Plum said. “We’re not the Los Angeles Sparks of last year.”

Defense and Turnovers Decided the Night

Roberts pointed to turnovers as one of the biggest problems. The Sparks committed 19 turnovers, which led to 26 Aces points. Against a team with A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and Chennedy Carter, those mistakes become layups, open threes and momentum.

“Turnovers are just leading to the other team’s break opportunities,” Roberts said.

She also said the Sparks missed layups, expected calls and did not get them, but still needed to finish plays and be stronger with the ball.

Ogwumike was direct about the defensive standard.

“Defense is not something that gels,” Ogwumike said. “You either want to do it, or you don’t.”

That may be the quote that defines the opener. Chemistry takes time. Rotations take time. Defensive want-to does not get the same grace.

Aces’ Depth Set the Standard

A’ja Wilson’s star power was still a major part of the night, even though Las Vegas’ scoring was spread around. Wilson finished with 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Chennedy Carter led the Aces with 22 points, while Jackie Young added 20 points, five rebounds and nine assists.

That balance is what makes Las Vegas difficult. Wilson draws attention, Young controls pace, Chelsea Gray organizes and Carter gave the Aces a scoring lift. The Sparks were not beaten by one player. They were beaten by a team that looked like it knew how to respond after being hit.

A Chance to Respond

Roberts said early in the season, the Sparks are still trying to forge their identity.

“Expectations are high, but we’ve got to go one game at a time,” Roberts said. “Everybody here wants to be here, and they’re bought into what we’re trying to do.”

The Sparks had flashes: Ogwumike’s return, Plum’s scoring, Hamby’s activity, Ariel Atkins and Erica Wheeler creating defensive pressure, and a second-quarter run that brought the building back into the game.

But there were also areas that must be cleaned up quickly: turnovers, defensive consistency, missed open looks, rebounding effort and responding when a championship team raises the pressure.

Las Vegas lost its opener and responded the next night. Now the Sparks have their own chance to show what kind of response they can bring when they host the Indiana Fever on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena.

Opening night gave Los Angeles a clear message: the pieces are there, but the polish is not. Against the Aces, bright moments were not enough. Against Indiana, the Sparks get their first chance to turn those lessons into something stronger.