After a gut-wrenching loss last Monday night at Crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA finally broke through. In a 97–89 win over the Las Vegas Aces last Wednesday on the road, they did what had been eluding them during the 2025 season, a strong late finish.
In the game against the Aces, the Sparks led at halftime, but after losing the third quarter – their Achilles’ heel all year, it felt like déjà vu. In every game this season where they’ve lost the third quarter, they’ve lost the game. Not this time.
Rickea Jackson, the No. 4 overall pick in last year’s draft, delivered her best performance in her young Sparks career, pouring in 30 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Four of Sparks’ five starters scored in double figures, and the Sparks held off a late push from the Aces, who lost A’ja Wilson, their best player, to a head injury late in the third quarter.
“Learning how to win is a process,” head coach Lynne Roberts said. “I despise losing, but it’s a process.” That process has been bumpy. The Sparks are 4–7, tied for the fourth-worst record in the league. They’re 1–5 at home and allow 84.6 points per game which is also fourth worst in the WNBA. To win, they’ve often had to outgun opponents in shootouts, scoring 90 plus points in three of their four victories. That’s not a sustainable formula for stacking wins in the WNBA.
After Monday’s 89–81 overtime loss to the Golden State Valkyries, emotions ran high. Coach Roberts pointed to the team’s fatigue late in the overtime game and the 17 offensive rebounds they allowed. “You give a team that many second chances, they’re probably going to win.”
The officiating also came under fire. Aces star guard Kelsey Plum was visibly frustrated after drawing just six free throw attempts despite relentlessly driving to the basket. “I drive more than anyone in the league,” Plum said. “To shoot six free throws is absurd. I’m sick of it. I don’t know what else to do.”
Still, Wednesday’s win was a much-needed breakthrough. The Sparks did what they do best, score and they made just enough stops to hold off their opponent. Jackson looked like a future star, and Los Angeles finally closed the show.
Next up for the Sparks is a road matchup this Saturday against Napheesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx and they return home to face the Seattle Storm at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17.