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After dispatching the Phoenix Mercury 89-80 on Tuesday, the Las Vegas Aces are hoping to make it 2-0 when they host the LA Sparks on Saturday. The Aces, following their championship ring ceremony and banner-raising event, dug down to open their WNBA season with a win. They will have to improve their focus when they take on the rebuilding visitors.
The Sparks pushed the Atlanta Dream for three quarters before eventually succumbing 92-81 behind Rhyne Howard and former MVP Tina Charles’ heroics for the Dream.
Los Angeles showed that highly touted rookies Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson are already capable of helping the team. They know that they are the underdogs but are unfazed against the two-time defending champs.
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Michelob ULTRA Arena in Sin City will host the showdown between the LA Sparks and Las Vegas Aces. ABC will air the game as it happens on national TV, while basketball fans can also stream the action by subscribing to the WNBA League Pass.
LA Sparks vs Las Vegas Aces: Injury reports
LA Sparks injury report for May 18
The Sparks will not have Julie Allemand for the season due to an ankle injury. Azura Stevens will be in street clothes as she recovers from an arm injury. Rae Burrell was scratched from the active list because of a non-COVID-19-related illness.
Las Vegas Aces injury report for May 18
Elizabeth Kitley’s ACL injury will keep her out of the Aces’ active list for the foreseeable future. Chelsea Gray, who injured her foot in the WNBA Finals last year, is held out as she continues her recovery.
LA Sparks vs Las Vegas Aces: Starting lineups and depth charts
LA Sparks starting lineups and depth chart
The Sparks had Dearica Hamby, Cameron Brink, Layshia Clarendon, Lexie Brown and Kia Nurse line up for their season opener against the Atlanta Dream. LA coach Tanisha Wright is unlikely to change the starting unit following their competitive showing versus Atlanta.
Here's a look at the Sparks’ depth chart:
Las Vegas Aces starting lineup and depth chart
A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Kiah Stokes and Alysha Clark are Becky Hammon’s first five and will keep it that way unless injuries happen.
Here's the Aces' depth chart this year:
LA Sparks vs Las Vegas Aces: Key matchups
Dearica Hamby versus A’ja Wilson has to be the matchup fans will be looking at when the LA Sparks take on the Las Vegas Aces.
Hamby was drafted by the San Antonio Stars before the franchise relocated to Las Vegas. She's very familiar with Wilson as they were teammates in the Aces’ 2020 championship.
How Hamby fares against the back-to-back and reigning Defensive Player of the Year could determine how the Sparks’ night will go.
Wilson against Cameron Brink will also be interesting. Brink, the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft won the 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. Scouts raved about his height, length and instincts long before he was grabbed by the Sparks in the draft.
Going up against Wilson will be a baptism of fire for Brink. If she and Hamby can’t slow down the reigning WNBA Finals MVP, it will be a long night for the Sparks.
