Struggles of the Las Vegas Aces
A few weeks back, I discussed how A’ja Wilson stands out in the WNBA as a significant player, particularly in free agency. With each game she plays for the Las Vegas Aces, it feels more accurate. The recent match against the Indiana Fever seemed like a potential turning point for the team. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that they were already sinking.
From 2020 to 2022, the Aces built what many consider one of the most dominant squads in WNBA history. By 2022, with Becky Hammon as coach, they secured their first championship. Heading into 2023, expectations were sky-high, and many thought they had a chance for a three-peat in 2024.
However, they weren’t alone in facing challenges; other teams were beefing up their rosters to compete against the Aces. The emergence of players like Naphesa Collier and the trio from New York—Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, and Sabrina Ionescu—posed new threats. What started as a season that might have just needed a tweak due to fatigue from their title runs has devolved into one of the most startling declines the WNBA has seen this year.
The Aces currently hold an 8-9 record, ranking 10th in the league in points per game (79.3), 12th in field goal percentage (40.1%), and 11th in assists per game (16.9). On the flip side, their opponents average 92.8 points per game, leading the league in several categories.
Just last night, the Aces suffered an 81-54 loss to the Indiana Fever, marking one of the poorest offensive performances in franchise history. Coach Becky Hammon did not hide her disappointment, noting that her team hadn’t shot below 30% since she took charge.
In her post-game remarks, Hammon expressed that the team was “kicked around” and displayed “a total lack of professionalism.” She questioned how they could perform so poorly in front of thousands of fans.
While the team lacks a clear standout beyond A’ja Wilson, she delivered a strong performance in Thursday’s game, scoring 29 of their 54 points. No other player managed more than two field goals. Wilson leads the league this season in points, averaging 26.9 ppg, and is also making strong contributions in rebounds and assists.
This isn’t the first time the limitations of her supporting cast have come to light. While the Aces traded for Jewel Lloyd in the offseason, the move hasn’t paid off as Lloyd is currently experiencing his worst season. Although they also traded Nalyssa Smith to bolster the frontcourt, the outcomes have been underwhelming. The team is struggling with injuries and absences, taking a significant toll on their performance.
What stings is that these trades cost them valuable first-round draft picks for 2026 and 2027. Without making the playoffs, those moves could backfire. It could create a bleak future for Wilson, a three-time MVP stuck on a team aiming for championships.
It’s evident that the Aces need a significant shake-up… but what can they do? Key players like Lloyd, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Kiah Stokes haven’t been performing well enough to attract meaningful trades. With already depleted resources and contracts expiring, they face an uphill battle moving forward.
Amid these challenges, they’re fortunate that each player is, at least financially, still in a good spot. However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that without a change, the Aces may not find any additional rewards this season.
