The Las Vegas Aces have the best record in the WNBA and have clinched a spot in the Commissioner’s Cup.

The short-handed Los Angeles Sparks have lost five games in a row.

These teams are in very different positions going into Wednesday night’s matchup in Los Angeles, the final game for each team before the All-Star break.

The defending champion Aces (18-2) are coming off a 98-72 drubbing of the visiting Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night.

Las Vegas outscored Phoenix 26-12 in the second quarter to take a comfortable 52-34 halftime lead. Jackie Young had 23 points to lead four Aces scorers in double figures.

“I don’t think we’re at our peak of playing our best basketball,” said forward A’ja Wilson, who added 20 points and eight rebounds.

It was the Aces’ second consecutive victory since losing to 80-78 to the host Dallas Wings on Friday. The Aces are undefeated at home and haven’t lost consecutive games.

The Sparks’ latest loss was to the league-worst Mercury, 78-72 in Phoenix on Sunday.

Los Angeles (7-12) already was without five players before starter Dearica Hamby went down with a sprained ankle in the first half against the Mercury.

The Sparks did get a boost from guard Jasmine Thomas, who had season highs of 29 minutes and 10 points to go with four assists. Thomas, 33, was playing her 12th game this season after suffering a season-ending ACL injury last year.

“She brings a veteran presence,” said coach Curt Miller, who also coached Thomas with the Connecticut Sun. “She understands this league. She understands how hard it is to prepare, how hard it is to win and the fine line between winning and losing.”

Lexie Brown (non-COVID illness), Layshia Clarendon (foot), Chiney Ogwumike (foot) and Nia Clouden (knee) are listed as out for Wednesday’s game.

“There’s still so much (time) left,” Thomas said. “We can’t look ahead. We can’t look behind us and see the games where we could have won.”

–Field Level Media