NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
All right, LA Sparks fans, the talk is over its opening day! Up first is a matchup versus the defending champs, who limp into Los Angeles after not just getting championship rings, but a real butt-kicking. A 33-point loss to the Phoenix Mercury. Awful shooting, tons of turnovers, and a poor effort top to bottom from the Aces. Shooting 21% three-point shooting doesn’t get you a win in rec league, let alone the W.
How will two Aces stars, Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd, who struggled. Will they bounce back, or is this a sign of early-season rust? Yes, it’s only the second game of the season, but could tired legs be a factor?
“I don’t really get butterflies,” second-year Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts said at practice on Saturday afternoon. “If you prepare, it gives you confidence. I’ve done this long enough. But I am excited. I’m ready to get going. I am happy with where the group’s at and who we have. Just ready to get going.”
For the Sparks, we see the revamped roster in regular-season action, looking to get off to a strong start to the 2026 season. Will head coach Lynne Roberts and her up-tempo playing style run Vegas out of the gym? As I talked about in my season preview article, this is an early-season test. But the Sparks are the ones giving it. How? Fresh legs, home court, a hungry new roster with Ogwumike and Atkins.
Key Match-Ups:
The matchup to keep an eye on is the great A’ja Wilson against the Sparks frontcourt. Wilson was the only player who showed up yesterday ready to play. Based on her comments and history, she’s going to be locked in and demand that her teammates follow. Can Ogwumike, Brink, and Hamby contain her? And also make her work on the defensive side of the floor. Nneka Ogwumike will have to use her veteran swagger to make life tough for Wilson. Cameron Brink is a shot blocker and will be looked upon to do just that.
Kelsey Plum vs Chelsea Gray is another key to the game for sure. Gray was -24 on the floor yesterday. One thing about Kelsey if you are off your game, she smells blood in the water and attacks. We know she has free rein in this LA offense, so Vegas better be ready.
Finally, keep an eye on Ariel Atkins on Jackie Young. Young had 12 points last night but needed 15 shots to get there — that’s not efficiency, that’s volume. Atkins is one of the premier perimeter defenders in the league and was brought to LA for games like this. If she makes Young’s night difficult, the Aces’ second-leading scorer becomes a non-factor, and Vegas is left leaning entirely on Wilson to carry them again. That’s a heavy load, especially with the Spark feeding off the home crowd.
Final Buzzer
I expect the defending champs to step into Crypto.com Arena with the most dangerous player in A’ja Wilson. But will the rest of her teammates wake up feeling dangerous? Shoutout to Baker Mayfield. The LA Sparks will push the pace, and if they can hit shots while playing tough defense, wear out the Aces. I don’t have a final score, but I do have the Sparks winning and setting a tone, plus sending a message.
