A'ja Wilson scores 35 points to power Aces to 96-81 victory over Sparks
Los Angeles Sparks guard Odyssey Sims (0) drives against Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) blocks a shot by Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (5) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates after making a 3-point shot against the Los Angeles Sparks during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates after a play against the Los Angeles Sparks during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates after a play against the Los Angeles Sparks during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Los Angeles Sparks guard Odyssey Sims (0) drives against Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) blocks a shot by Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (5) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates after making a 3-point shot against the Los Angeles Sparks during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates after a play against the Los Angeles Sparks during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A'ja Wilson had 35 points and 13 rebounds and the Las Vegas Aces bounced back from a 20-point loss five days earlier to beat the Los Angeles Sparks 96-81 on Friday night.
This was the highest-scoring game for Wilson, who also had six assists, since her 41-point performance Sept. 1 at Phoenix. Jackie Young added 26 points for the Aces (3-2) and Chelsea Gray had 15.
Advertisement
Kelsey Plum led the Sparks (2-5) with 17 points, Odyssey Sims scored 15 points and former Dearica Hamby had 14. Plum and coach Lynne Roberts were hit with technical fouls for arguing with officials on separate occasions.
The Aces, expected to be WNBA title contenders, entered this game off a slow start to the season that included a 102-82 loss at Seattle on Sunday.
Las Vegas went on a 23-2 run before the Sparks closed the first quarter with a 15-5 spurt of their own to draw to within 28-21. But the Aces add 15-3 run in the second period to go up 54-36, and the outcome was not seriously in doubt after that.
Los Angeles made a late push, getting as close as eight points with 4:07 left.
Advertisement
This was Plum's first game in Las Vegas since she was part of the three-team trade in January in which the Aces acquired Loyd from Seattle.
The Sparks were without Rickea Jackson, who did not play because of personal reasons. Jackson averages 7.0 points per game.
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard and Hall of Famer Tina Thompson sat courtside.
___
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
25 Nude Nail Ideas for a Crisp, Clean Summer Manicure
Two things can be true: Summer is vibrant and colorful, and it's subtle and light. We love pulling out our bright neons to kick off the season, but leaning into nudes, like cotton candy and mocha, can bring some balance to our summer style. Whether you want to offer some contrast to your colorful 'fits, or you just prefer a more muted palette, nude nails make a clean, polished addition to your aesthetic during the hot months. And don't think that nude and simple are mutually exclusive. The color family can be minimal, but it can also be ornate, edgy, and whatever other vibe you might be feeling. From shimmery shades to abstract designs, here are 25 nude nail ideas for summer you should bookmark immediately! More power to the beauties who can do their own elaborate, intricate nail designs at home. But if you're not exactly an artist, try a simple nude base with star and stud crystals. The good thing about neutrals is that no one can tell if you paint a little outside the lines, making it foolproof. If you love the baroque era, this ornate manicure is right up your alley! The artist used a fine brush to create intricate white designs on a neutral base. This set is perfect for formal summer occasions, whether it be a wedding or an extravagant vacation. This light pinkmimics the color of your natural nail soft, sheer color is a great topcoat, or it can be worn as is for a clean, light mani. While this minimalistic style would look good on any nail length, we especially love the way it flatters a short, round shape. Another beginner-friendly option, these nude nails are trimmed in sparkly gold glitter. While simple, the manicure still has a little zhuzh! This is also a great alternative to traditional French tips, which require more precision. Consider this proof that nude hues can still have sparkle. For a slightly more dynamic manicure, opt for a sheer iridescent shade, like the one shown above. The light, elegant polish with fairy-like shimmer fits right in with the "Ethereal Girl" summer aesthetic. Nude nails are often very classic and minimal in design. And while we love an elegant mani, we also love an avant-garde, textured set like this one. Using various earth tones, the artist created a different design on each nail. Plus, the silver hardware adds some edge. Dark browns are a stunning nude, especially on melanin-rich skin tones. Here, the chocolate base is topped with beautiful glittery specks. It's giving sparkling desert sand in the best way possible. Feeling romantic? Combine your favorite nude shades for a marvelous marble effect. The streaks of white give the overall look a light, airy finish, while the various shades of brown create an earthy base. They may not be groundbreaking to Miranda Priestly, but we'll never tire of floral nails in the spring and summer! These nude almond-shaped nails feature white daisies, making for a cutesy and playful set. Follow the artist's lead with bare accent nails, or go all out with florals on each finger. A few coats of glitter polish are all you need to give a nude manicure a little personality. Start by prepping your nails with your favorite neutral tone. Then, as a final step, use a glittery top coat with your desired level of shine. Why settle for one nude when you can have three? The artist carefully curated three different shades to make a custom, complementary mix. These nudes are all pretty close in color, but don't be afraid to experiment with extreme darks and lights for a stronger contrast. There are no rules in nail art, which means we can turn blue skies peachy in an instant! These cloud-inspired nails are full of whimsy, but they're also fitting for everyday thanks to the earthy colors. The gold celestial stickers are the cherry on top. A DIY manicure you couldn't mess up if you tried, these nails feature a few clear coats and nail stickers. That's it! If you're a minimalist or nail art novice (or both), might we recommend this sweet starry set. The perfect shade of ballerina pink, these nails beautifully reflect the summer sun. Pair your favorite rosy polish with a sheer, glittery top coat to give a seasonal twist on the timeless look. Throw a little color in the mix with raised swirls of your favorite summer colors. Here, the artist used a mix of light pink and purple. A matte nude makes the color stand out all the more. Double flame-like designs over a shiny khaki base make for the ultimate abstract design. The gold chrome brings a luxe vibe to the set, while the dark green and pumpkin maintain the richness of the final look. Take it up a notch with chunky gold jewels! Nothing's sweeter than a box of chocolates, but these nude skittle nails come pretty close. We also appreciate how the colors are in order from darkest to lightest for an orderly, clean-cut aesthetic. Can't find a nude you love? This artist crafted her own, mixing several neutral shades until she concocted the perfect peach! We'd be remiss if we didn't mention the stunning length and precise almond shape. Caramel nails with textured pastel shapes make an artsy duo. If you don't have the steadiest hand, try geometric stickers so you can still achieve the raised effect. Precision is the key to pulling off this look! Everything about this negative space design is positively right! The mattified rose base is a clean backdrop for the white swirls to take center stage. Proof that unique designs can still feel neutral in the right color way. Another take on Skittle nails, these milky nudes are simply dreamy! Each shade can stand on its own, but they're more stunning together. The glitter accent nail adds a little razzle dazzle without throwing off the nude vibes. Whether you see clouds or lips, we can all agree that these mocha and white nails are pillowy soft and cute. Use a fine brush or dotting pen to achieve the curved edges. These square-shaped nails are kept minimal with sherbert tips and a nearly naked base. Little metallic stickers are all the color we need for this nude, no-fuss mani. Clean and elevated, this mani looks effortless. If you prefer something low-key and polished, consider a few coats of subtle pink. The soft shade with beige undertones makes the nails look natural and buffed. For this dynamic design, the artist alternated between a chocolate and cream polish to create a super minimal nude mani. The moderate length and rounded square shape give the nails an elevated, smart finish. Read the original article on Byrdie
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trey Hendrickson predicted to lose contract standoff with Bengals
As written here consistently, barring a shocker, it has long felt like the Cincinnati Bengals will eventually emerge the "winners" of the contract standoff with star defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Those Bengals just happen to hold the vast majority of the leverage during this latest contract impasse with Hendrickson, despite the All-Pro's recent 20-plus minute airing of grievances at a team practice. Advertisement Despite this, Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated slots Hendrickson losing the standoff as one of his bold predictions for the season: "The alternative is to become Haason Reddick, which, for a player entering his age-31 season, cannot be appetizing. By taking the Bengals' reported current offer, Hendrickson can upgrade his salary by nearly $12 million and, while still being underpaid, improve upon his prospects for next offseason more by staying in Cincinnati than he could as a year-to-year mercenary for less on another roster." RELATED: Bengals UDFA is already turning heads at OTAs By now, Bengals fans know that isn't all that bold, though. This is merely the latest offseason dustup with Hendrickson over a contract. Past years have featured short one-year extensions and even reported threats of retirement. This offseason featured the Bengals actually granting him permission to seek a trade that never happened due to his age, production level, contract demands and trade asking price, to name a few factors. Advertisement Right now, Hendrickson is simply using every last bit of leverage he has left to make noise before the fines start to kick in during mandatory minicamp this month and training camp after that. He's extremely unlikely to actually miss games at his age with millions of dollars lost in fines while hurting his value with other teams. Hendrickson will likely wind up "losing' this affair in the form of a massive pay raise over the short-term, but just not for the exact number or years he and his reps seek. RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals players missing OTAs list ahead of training camp This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Trey Hendrickson predicted to lose contract standoff with Bengals
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stars' Peter DeBoer Facing Backlash After Throwing Jake Oettinger Under the Bus
Stars' Peter DeBoer Facing Backlash After Throwing Jake Oettinger Under the Bus originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After hard-fought series wins over the Colorado Avalanche in Round 1 and the Central Division champion Winnipeg Jets in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Dallas Stars simply had no answer for the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference finals. Advertisement The Stars rallied for a 6-3 win over the Oilers in Game 1, but they were outscored 19-5 over their next four games and were eliminated from the postseason with Thursday's 6-3 Game 5 loss. While Edmonton making it back to the Stanley Cup Final after falling in seven games to the Florida Panthers last year wasn't a surprise, what Stars head coach Peter DeBoer said about starting goalie Jake Oettinger moments after his team's season ended surely was. Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger makes a save against the Winnipeg Jets in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Miron-Imagn Images DeBoer seemingly pointed the finger at Oettinger, who was pulled 7:09 into the opening period after allowing two goals on the first two shots he faced, for Dallas' season coming to a premature end. Advertisement 'Anytime you pull a goalie, the reasoning is always to try and spark your group, so that was the No. 1 reason,' DeBoer told reporters. '… Obviously, we were in a 2-0 hole right away, and I didn't take that lightly and I didn't blame it all on Jake, but the reality is if you go back to last year's playoffs, he's lost six of seven games to Edmonton. And we give up two goals on two shots in an elimination game. ... That's a pretty big sample size.' While some fans likely understood DeBoer benching Oettinger with the season on the line, others criticized him on social media for throwing his star goaltender under the bus. 'The full comment is an absolute kick in the nuts to Otter. Yes, the Stars were down 2-0 again. The rookie Pete put in the lineup gave McDavid a PP 1:47 into the game. Then Pete's team was in a coma while Janmark scored on a partial break. Obviously on the goalie,' ESPN's Greg Wyshynski wrote. Advertisement 'Famously ends well for coaches who put all the blame on one player immediately after a playoff elimination game,' one fan pointed out. 'I think he might have an inkling that he's done in Dallas. This is him getting a parting shot,' another fan speculated. 'Anyone get the license plate of the bus he threw him under?' asked one user. 'How many games did the coach lose against Edmonton the past two years. (Hint: rhymes with 8 of 11.)' another user replied. 'What on earth was Pete thinking. He's better than this. And you never mention the phrase 'status quo' when you are the guy who has now lost three straight Western Conference Finals. Jake Oettinger was the least of the Stars problems in this series. The very least,' one fan exclaimed. Advertisement Related: Maple Leafs GM Hints Franchise-Changing Roster Shake-up Could Be Coming This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
