Kelsey Plum scores 38, Erica Wheeler hits clutch 3-pointer and Sparks defeat Aces 101-95

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LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kelsey Plum scored a season-high 38 points, Erica Wheeler hit the go-ahead 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Sparks defeated the Las Vegas Aces 101-95 on Saturday night.

A 3-pointer by Wheeler capped an 8-0 run for Los Angeles in the first minute of the fourth quarter that gave the Sparks a 80-73 lead. The Aces battled back and tied it at 90 on a jumper in the lane by Chelsea Gray and again at 94 on two free throws by A'ja Wilson.

Wheeler then took a pass from Plum and hit a 27-foot 3-pointer with 1:15 remaining, giving the Sparks a 97-94 lead. The Aces missed a couple of 3-pointers and a free throw on their final possessions while Dearica Hamby and Plum sealed the win with two free throws each.

Hamby and Cameron Brink each scored 16, Ariel Atkins had 11, and Rae Burrell added 10 for the Sparks (3-3). Wheeler had 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Plum had nine assists.

Wilson scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for the Aces (4-2). Carter scored 23 points off the bench. NaLyssa Smith added 22 points, Gray 12 and Jewell Loyd 10.

A 3-pointer by Smith gave the Aces a 57-48 lead early in the third quarter but Plum rallied the Sparks with five points and three assists as Los Angeles surged ahead 60-57. Neither team led by more than three points the rest of the quarter and Las Vegas took a 73-72 lead to the final period.

Las Vegas, the reigning WNBA champions, saw a four-game winning streak end. The Aces had won 20 of their last 21 regular-season games after finishing the 2025 regular season on a 16-game winning streak.

Aces: at Dallas on Thursday.

Sparks: at Washington on Friday.

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball