Sparks stun Aces behind Layshia Clarendon’s 22 points
L.A. triumphs 78-72 on the road to win its fourth in a row and snap a 13-game losing streak to Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS — Layshia Clarendon had 22 points, Jordin Canada scored 20 and Nneka Ogwumike posted a double-double to help the Sparks snap a 13-game losing streak to the Las Vegas Aces with a 78-72 victory Saturday.
Clarendon sank 6 of 9 shots and all nine of her free throws for the Sparks (13-18), who won their fourth in a row and lead the Chicago Sky by a game for the eighth and final spot in the playoffs. She added five rebounds and five assists. Canada sank half of her eight shots from long distance, adding three steals. Ogwumike totaled 19 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks.
Las Vegas (28-4) has already clinched a postseason berth, but the defending champions had to settle for tying the Sparks’ league-record mark through 32 games, set in 2000 and matched in 2001.
A’ja Wilson scored 25 to lead four Aces in double figures. She added nine rebounds and three steals.
Canada scored 11 to lead the Sparks to a 24-15 lead after one quarter.
Chelsea Gray hit a 3-pointer, Cayla George sank back-to-back 3s and Kelsey Plum buried one of her own in the first 2:52 of the second period to get Las Vegas within 28-27. Plum sandwiched a 3-pointer and two free throws around a layup by Young and the Aces grabbed a 36-34 lead with 3:10 left before halftime.
On the Sparks’ next possession, Plum was charged with a flagrant-1 foul on Clarendon, who picked up a technical on the play. Plum missed her technical foul shot. Clarendon sank both of her free throws for the flagrant and followed with a layup as the Sparks regained the lead and never trailed again. Los Angeles used an 8-0 run to lead 42-36 at intermission.
Alysha Clark hit two consecutive 3-pointers to key a 15-7 Las Vegas run to close out the third period and the Aces trailed 57-55.
Ogwumike made two straight jumpers to ignite an 8-0 run and the Sparks pushed their lead back to double figures at 69-59 with 4:55 left. Plum had a steal and a layup and Gray followed with a layup off a Kiah Stokes steal as the Aces closed to within 72-70 with 1:32 remaining. Stokes grabbed an Ogwumike miss, but Wilson missed three shots at the other end with a chance to tie or take the lead. Ogwumike answered with a basket to give the Sparks a two-possession lead with 20 seconds to play.
The Sparks ended a four-game win streak by the Aces, who will play their next four games on the road. The league is playing a record high 40-game schedule this season.