WNBA Aces Win Big Over Los Angeles Sparks In Kelsey Plum’s Return To Las Vegas Before Packed House Friday

May 30, 2025May 30, 2025 Alan Snel A'ja Wilson, Becky Hammon, Cameron Brink, Chelsea Gray, Dearica Hamby, Jackie Young, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Mark Davis, Rickea Jackson

Two team presidents — Aces’ Nikki Fargas (left) and Raiders’ Sandra Douglass Morgan (right)

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Shop at Jay’s Market at 190 East Flamingo Road at the Koval Lane intersection east of the Strip.

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Story by Cassandra Cousineau Photos by Hugh Byrne

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — The Las Vegas Aces welcomed back former franchise stalwart Kelsey Plum Friday, but the Aces were in no sentimental mood after they were routed by the Seattle Storm by 20 points in their last game Sunday.

After a 2-2 start to the 2025 season, which easily could have included a loss to the Washington Mystics, the Aces came out with an edge, taking a 17-6 lead in the first quarter and controlling the Sparks throughout the contest on the way to a decisive 96-81 win behind A’ja Wilson’s 35 points.

Another sold out packed house at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob ULTRA Arena watched Plum lead the Sparks in scoring with 17 points, but she struggled with her shooting as the former Aces star converted only six of 19 field goal attempts. That included 1-of-7 from beyond the arc. Plum also committed five turnovers and four personal fouls, finishing with a minus-21 rating.

The Sparks did not look sharp, committing 18 turnovers while missing young stars Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink. Another former Aces player, Dearica Hamby, added 14 points for the Sparks.

Wilson, the all-world three-time WNBA MVP, was golden, making 12 of 18 from the floor and ten-of-ten from the free throw line. Jackie Young added 26 points, while Chelsea Gray had 15.

Plum stepped onto the court in Las Vegas for the first time since being traded to Los Angeles in a blockbuster three-team deal that sent Jewell Loyd from Seattle to the Aces earlier this year.

Kelsey Plum denied by Stokes on layup attempt

While Plum received a warm reception from the Aces faithful — some holding signs reading “Once an Ace, Always an Ace” — Las Vegas locked down, frustrated, and big-sistered their former teammate.

“I was frustrated in myself,” Plum said. “I didn’t have any legs. They did a great job defensively.”

Plum, who was instrumental in the Aces’ back-to-back championship runs in 2022 and 2023, struggled to find her rhythm in her return.

Much of the Aces’ defensive job on Plum fell to her former backcourt partner, Young, who took on the primary assignment of guarding Plum. Young didn’t just lock in on defense; she also torched the Sparks with those 26 points and three assists.

“It was competitive—we were going at it,” Young said. “But at the end of the day, it’s about team basketball, and we’re locked in.”

Attendance was reported at 10,504.

They saw a basketball jaunt down memory lane in a video tribute for the popular Plum. The five-foot, eight-inch 30-year-old won two championships with the Aces. Plum actually began her career in San Antonio with the team that drafted her number one overall in 2017 before MGM Resorts International bought the San Antonio team and rebranded them into the Aces in 2018.

But Friday’s game was not close.

Las Vegas went on a 23-2 run before the Sparks closed the first quarter with a 15-5 spurt of their own to trail, 28-21.

The Aces went on a 15-3 run in the second period to open a 54-36 lead. They led by as much as 24 points in front of the loud home crowd.

Wilson finished with 35 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and three blocks.

Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to post those numbers in a single game. She also dished her 500th career assist and tied Loyd for the longest active streak of double-digit scoring games at 55, which ranks 8th all-time in league history.