Sparks guard Kelsey Plum drives to the basket in front of Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, right, fouls Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks guard Rae Burrell, left, puts up a shot as Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson defends during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon reacts on the sideline during the first half of a game against the Sparks on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, front, is fouled by Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks forward Dearica Hamby drives to the basket as Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson defends during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts talks with guard Sarah Ashlee Barker during the first half of their game against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks guard Rae Burrell drives to the basket as Las Vegas Aces guard Dana Evans, right, defends during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young, right, reaches for a loose ball with teammate A’ja Wilson during the first half of their game against the Sparks on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts watches from the sideline during the first half of their game against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks forward Dearica Hamby looks to shoot in traffic as Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson, left, and guard Jewell Loyd (24) defend during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks forward Dearica Hamby handles the ball as Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray defends during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks forward Dearica Hamby drives to the basket as Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson defends during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson, left, passes the ball over Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts watches from the sideline during the first half against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks guard Rae Burrell drives to the basket as Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson defends during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks guard Rae Burrell looks to shoot over Las Vegas Aces guard Dana Evans during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon yells instructions to her players from the sideline during the first half of a game against the Sparks on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks guard Kelsey Plum steals the ball and heads up the court in front of Las Vegas Aces guard Dana Evans during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
LAs Vegas Aces forward Kierstan Bell, center, watches from the bench in street clothes during the first half of a game against the Sparks on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (5) looks to shoot in traffic as Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson, left, and Aces guard Chelsea Gray, left, defend during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, center, reaches for a loose ball with Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson, second from left, during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon yells instructions to her players from the sideline during the first half of a game against the Sparks on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson reaches for a loose ball during the second half of their game against the Sparks on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson runs out of bounds while chasing after a loose ball during the second half of their game against the Sparks on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson grabs a rebound over Sparks guard Rae Burrell, right, during the second half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson shoots over Sparks forward Azura Stevens during the second half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson runs up the court during the second half of their game against the Sparks on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, right, reacts as Las Vegas Aces guard Dana Evans looks toward the bench during the second half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilso loses control of the ball as Sparks forward Alissa Pili, back, defends during the second half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson gets to the basket for a layup during the second half of their game against the Sparks on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson reacts after scoring as Sparks guard Sarah Ashlee Barker looks on during the second half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks forward Alissa Pili, left, blocks a shot by Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson during the second half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) gestures after a 3-point shot during the second half of their game against the Sparks on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson grabs a rebound over Sparks guard Rae Burrell, back right, during the second half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, right, blocks a pass by Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young with her foot during the second half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson chases a loose ball with Sparks guard Kelsey Plum during the second half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson chases a loose ball with Sparks guard Kelsey Plum during the second half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson shoots during the second half of their game against the Sparks on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson reacts after a 3-point shot during the second half of their game against the Sparks on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks guard Kelsey Plum speaks to the fans after their season-ending loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson, left, poses for a photo with Sparks forward Emma Cannon after their regular-season finale on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson signs shoes for Sparks forward Emma Cannon (not pictured) after their regular-season finale on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
DJ Mal-SKI entertains the crowd before the Sparks’ season finale against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks forward Cameron Brink warms up before their season-ending loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sparks guard Kelsey Plum warms up before their season-ending loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
DJ Mal-SKI entertains the crowd before the Sparks’ season finale against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
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Sparks guard Kelsey Plum drives to the basket in front of Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) during the first half on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — The Sparks put their pride on the line but were overwhelmed by the red hot Las Vegas Aces, who set a new WNBA regular-season record by making 22 3-point shots to blow out the hosts, 103-75, in the Sparks’ season finale on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena.
The Aces (30-14) outscored the Sparks 66-12 from 3-point range, shooting 22 for 45 from behind the arc to secure the No. 2 seed for the WNBA playoffs with their 16th consecutive win. The Sparks, who shot just 4 for 26 from long range, finished 21-23 and missed the postseason for the fifth consecutive year.
The Sparks put together a late-season run, but they were eliminated from playoff consideration on Tuesday night despite an 88-83 road win in Phoenix. Their hopes were dashed when the Seattle Storm earned a 74-73 victory over the Golden State Valkyries the same night to secure the final playoff spot.
The Sparks shook off a slow start to their season to go 16-10 after July 5, but they lost five of their final nine games to extend their drought.
“I’m proud of what we did,” first-year Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. “It’s not the ultimate goal that we had but the improvement, I’m proud of that. These guys battled all season. We went through adversity. They stuck together and I am proud of that.”
The Sparks’ Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby each scored 15 points against their former team in the finale, and rookie guard Sarah Ashlee Barker scored a career-high 15 points. Rae Burrell added 10 points.
Hamby scored her team’s first seven points on Thursday, but the Sparks trailed 20-9 with 3:48 left in the first quarter and never pulled back within contention, trailing 29-13 after the first quarter and 53-34 at halftime.
“I want our team to leave it all out there,” Roberts said before the game.
The Aces, who made 11 3-pointers in the first half, were led by perennial MVP candidate A’ja Wilson (23 points, 19 rebounds, four assists, two steals and four blocked shots). Jewell Loyd scored 21 points on 7-of-16 shooting from 3-point range. Jackie Young (5 for 10 from 3-point range) had a double-double with 17 points and 12 assists, as did former Sparks point guard Chelsea Gray with 15 points and 10 assists. NaLyssa Smith added 10 points.
The Aces’ 16-game winning streak matches a 2014 run by the Mercury as the second-longest win streak in WNBA history, behind an 18-game run by the Sparks in 2001.
The Sparks’ Cameron Brink, who played 19 games after recovering from a knee injury last season, departed in the second quarter with a bloody nose after taking an elbow under the basket from the Aces’ Smith.
The Sparks were already playing without starting point guard Julie Allemand (left ankle) and starting small forward Rickea Jackson (right lower leg), both nursing lingering injuries. Barker and Burrell, who was coming off a career-high 20 points in Tuesday’s win against the Mercury, started alongside Plum, Hamby and Azurá Stevens.
“The expectations for how we compete shouldn’t change no matter who is in uniform, who’s not,” Roberts said before tip-off. “Whether we’re out of the playoff hunt or not. We want to play the way we’re supposed to play, meaning share the ball, play really hard, just play the right way and compete the right way.”
However, the Sparks shot just 31 for 73 from the field (42.5%), including the 4-of-26 showing from 3-point range.
Los Angeles Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts on Sparks missing 2025 WNBA playoffs, Kelsey Plum’s in-season growth as a No. 1 option.
Coach Roberts spoke during her pregame media availability before hosting Las Vegas Aces Thursday night. #lasparks #wnba #basketball pic.twitter.com/DXKIBTBkVI
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) September 12, 2025
The Aces began the season 14-14 before rattling off 16 victories to conclude the regular season, surging from nearly missing the playoffs to the No. 2 seed.
“You have to do some serious self-reflection and I think they all did that individually, they came together collectively and said no more,” Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon said before the game.
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon on why her team is on a 15-game winning streak during pregame media availability before playing the Los Angeles Sparks in a regular season finale on Thursday night. #wnba #basketball pic.twitter.com/WMymi07Lfx
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) September 12, 2025