Los Angeles Sparks vs. Las Vegas Aces: Defending champions look to extend four-game winning streak

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Los Angeles Sparks vs. Las Vegas Aces: Defending champions look to extend four-game winning streak

The Las Vegas Aces will host the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday night for their second meeting of the season. The show is scheduled for 8 pm ET and will be available on CBS and Paramount+.

The reigning WNBA champions are off to a 4-1 start with their only setback being a season-opening loss to the Phoenix Mercury on May 9. The Aces are coming off a thrilling 85-84 win over the Atlanta Dream, which happened. Chelsea Gray comes to grips (again) in the final seconds.

The Sparks, 2-3 overall, cruised to a 97-88 win over the Mercury on Thursday while making a team-high 15 3-pointers. Los Angeles had 60 points in the first half, tied for second in the first half in franchise history.

Las Vegas will unveil its 2025 WNBA championship banner at Michelob ULTRA Arena during a pregame ceremony. The Aces already have their ringing event on May 9.

Where to watch LA Sparks vs. Las Vegas Aces

The day: Saturday, May 23 | Time: 8pm ET
Location: Michelob ULTRA Arena — Las Vegas, NV
TV: CBS | Broadcast: Important+

The last meeting

The Sparks lead the all-time series 57-51, but the Aces have won their last three games. Los Angeles lost 105-78 at home to the Aces in the season opener on May 10 despite Kelsey Plum scoring a game-high 27 points against her former team. That was the 31st time Plum scored more than 25 points in her WNBA career. Nneka Ogwumike had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

It was a solid shooting day for the Aces, who went 43 of 69 from the field. That 62.3% was the second best percentage in franchise history. They had five players reach double figures, led by Chennedy Carter’s 22 points off the bench, while starters Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson contributed 20 and 19 points, respectively.

The immediate impact of Kennedy Carter

When it comes to the Aces, the conversation always starts with four-time MVP A’ja Wilson. However, newcomer Kennedy Carter’s role should also be highlighted. He may have a controversial past, but signing him in free agency has paid off for the Aces. Through the first five games of the season, Carter leads the team in steals and is second in scoring behind A’ja Wilson while coming off the bench.

This looks like a promising season for Carter as he is averaging a career-high 19.4 points per game while shooting a career-best 67.2%. It’s still early in the 2026 campaign, but Carter is making a strong case for Sixth Player of the Year. Although he is still working on improving his defense, Aces coach Becky Hammon described him as a “spark plug” off the bench that the Aces really needed.

“That fire off the bench. I’m asking him to play a high-level role,” Hammon said this week. “I ask him to play in a really tiring way because he can, and that’s something we don’t have. That’s something he can bring to our team that we haven’t had before. Just trying to put him in places to be successful. He’s well coordinated with the team. Not just on the field but off the court.”

Nneka Ogwumike makes history in LA to return

Ogwumike scored 12 points in the Sparks’ 97-88 victory over the Mercury on Thursday night, and in the process, continued to write her name in the WNBA history books. She now has 7,383 career points, moving her into fifth place on the league’s all-time hitting list, passing Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings.

What made it even more special was that Ogwumike made it back to Los Angeles after spending two seasons with the Seattle Storm. He was selected No. 1 overall by the Sparks in 2012 and stayed with the franchise until 2023. Ogwumike was a free agent this offseason and made the decision to join his former club.

Next on the all-time scoring list is Tina Thompson, who finished her WNBA career in 2013 with 7,488 points. Through the first five games of the season, Ogwumike is averaging 15.6 points per game while shooting 55.8% from the field.