This is a game that’s far more competitive than fans might’ve expected, based on early-season performances. Why? Because LA is riding a five-game winning streak and has suddenly thrown itself back into the playoff conversation. Now just one game behind the Mystics for the eighth seed, the Sparks could tie Washington with a win tonight—and if the Mystics lose to the Sky, LA would sit just a half-game behind the Aces in the standings.
And that’s the kind of pressure LA is under right now. But beating the Aces is no easy task as LV, currently sitting at 13–13, is more alert than ever, actively making lineup changes to ensure a strong postseason push. Still—Sparks fans have reason to believe!
Injury Report: Los Angeles Sparks vs. LV Aces
Well, there couldn’t have been a better time for LA Sparks forward Cameron Brink to make her season debut than in Tuesday’s game against the visiting Aces. LA needs her now more than ever. After missing the first 25 games of the season due to a torn left ACL—an injury that required nearly 13 months of rehab—Brink has officially been cleared and has been ramping up in practice.
“It’s great to get in and get reps,” Brink told the Long Beach Press-Telegram. “My teammates are super supportive, coaching me up. My coaches are super patient. I’m feeling great, just getting the reps that I need to feel comfortable.”
Let’s not forget—this is the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, right behind Caitlin Clark. Before her injury, she was averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in her first 15 games—all of them starts.
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 30: Cameron Brink #22 of the Los Angeles Sparks looks on during the game against the Chicago Sky on May 30, 2024 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
Her dominance was already evident, too—and not just in the W. She had earned a spot on Team USA’s 3×3 women’s basketball team, the same squad that brought home the bronze medal. Though she missed the tournament due to injury, her selection itself said it all. That’s the same event Caitlin Clark was controversially snubbed from—and where Angel Reese didn’t get a nod either. So yes, you know the kind of player Brink is. But what makes her comeback even more fortunate for the Sparks is that the Aces won’t be at full strength either.
It’s because forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus remains out—not due to injury, but because she recently welcomed her second child, Yoshua, on July 1. Though she’s missed the regular season, she’s still aiming for a potential return ahead of the playoffs, which begin on September 14. “There’s no pressure from the team, but I hold myself accountable,” Parker-Tyus shared. “I want to win for Becky [Hammon] and play alongside A’ja [Wilson].”
But, but, but…the Aces, led by three-time MVP A’ja Wilson, have gotten used to Parker-Tyus’s absence this season—and they’ve made it this far without her. But that doesn’t make the challenge any less real. Or is it?
Predicted Starting Lineups
So, here are the warriors on the front!
Los Angeles Sparks
PG: Julie Allemand
SG: Kelsey Plum
SF: Rickea Jackson
PF: Dearica Hamby
C: Azurá Stevens
Las Vegas Aces
PG: Chelsea Gray
SG: Jackie Young
SG/SF: Kierstan Bell (starting over Jewell Loyd)
PF: A’ja Wilson
PF/C: NaLyssa Smith
But who’ll win the battle: Los Angeles Sparks vs Las Vegas Aces?
As the Las Vegas Aces gear up to face the Los Angeles Sparks, oddsmakers slightly lean toward the 2x champs. DraftKings has the Aces as 2.5-point road favorites with a Moneyline of –142, while ESPN’s matchup predictor gives them a 55.7% chance of taking the win.
And, given Las Vegas’ experience and playoff pedigree, it’s no surprise they’re still viewed as the more likely victor on paper. But this game is far from a lock—especially with a reinvigorated Sparks squad ready to defend their home floor. One of the biggest shifts for Las Vegas came with head coach Becky Hammon’s bold decision to bring Jewell Loyd off the bench.
That move paid immediate dividends. Loyd scored 20 in a reserve role, while Kierstan Bell stepped up as a starter with 19 points, bringing new balance to the Aces’ rotation. If Hammon sticks with this lineup, the offensive rhythm could remain steady. But whether that rhythm holds against a surging Sparks team—especially one getting back its defensive anchor—is the real question.
And that anchor? Cameron Brink, the ace the Sparks are unveiling midseason. Though she’ll be on a minutes restriction, her return—combined with the offensive firepower of Kelsey Plum, Rickea Jackson, and Dearica Hamby—gives LA a much-needed jolt as they fight to end their playoff drought. So while the Aces may hold a statistical edge, the Sparks are no pushover, especially with momentum building and Brink back on the floor. While we may lean toward Las Vegas given their consistency, expect anything to happen—it’s been a wild week in the WNBA, and the league’s bottom teams are turning heads.
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