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The injury-riddled LA Sparks will arrive for their matchup against defending champions Las Vegas Aces at the Crypto.com Arena on the back of eight straight losses. This will be their third time facing each other this season, with the Sparks winning the previous clash 96-92.
However, the injuries to Cameron Brink, Azura Stevens and Lexie Brown have changed their season expectations, as they are now ranked second to last in the Western Conference with a 4-15 record.
Set to tip off at 10 p.m. ET, the Aces plan to take their winning run to seven games. They currently boast a 12-6 record and are third in the west. Chelsea Gray has returned to the lineup after recovering from an injury sustained during Game 3 of the 2023 WNBA Finals.
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LV Aces vs LA Sparks: Injury reports
LV Aces injury report for July 5
The Aces will be at full strength for this matchup. Gray’s return during their game against Seattle Storm on June 19 meant they have no injury concerns.
LA Sparks injury report for July 5
The Aces are up against a Sparks team whose season was derailed to some extent. The loss of Brink, due to an ACL tear, came alongside injuries to Brown and Stevens.
LV Aces vs LA Sparks: Starting Lineups and Depth Chart
LV Aces projected starting lineup and depth chart
Kelsey Plum (G), Jackie Young (G), Alysha Clark (F), Kiah Stokes (F), A'ja Wilson (C)
LA Sparks projected starting lineup and depth chart
PG: Aari McDonald, SG: Kia Nurse SF: Rickea Jackson PF: Stephanie Talbot C: Dearica Hamby
LV Aces vs LA Sparks: Key matchups
This game might as well come down to how well the LA Sparks can contain the offensive threats that the Aces boast of. A’ja Wilson (26.5 points and 10.9 rebounds) has been in rampant form of late, while Jackie Young arrives off the back of a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds against the Washington Mystics.
Couple that with Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum, and the Sparks might as well be left with too much to do. Dearica Hamby has been their chief performer on both ends of the court thus far, and much will depend on her and Stephanie Talbot, who has led her team’s defense in the absence of Brink.
