It's no secret that 2024 was an off-year for Las Vegas ace guard Chelsea Gray. The 32-year-old missed the first quarter of the season with a foot injury that suffered in the 2023 final, and her production fell considerably on her return.
After an average of 15.3 points (49%) and 7.3 assists in 2023, Gray averaged 8.6 points (40.8%) and 4.9 assists in 2024.
So many have speculated about whether Gray's best day was behind her – and if so, Ace could be in trouble for next season. Gray is the 2023 Finals MVP and remains one of the team's most important players despite the ace still being one of the team's WNBAThe most talented roster.
However, the unparalleled plays of the last few weeks have been extremely encouraging for Gray, a member of the burgeoning Rose Club. For one, the grey is very durable. She played in all 13 of the team's games.
But more than that, her production has increased recently. She scored over 26 points in six of her last seven games. So Rose was 6-1 in the final seven games and currently has the second-best record in the league at 7-5. In the season, Gray is the league's fourth leading scorer. She averages 21.3 points, 5.6 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Gray's hot stretch was interrupted by a 38-point, eight rebound performance against the mist. When Roses confused the previously undefeated Owl of the Moon, Gray led the way with 26 points, six rebounds and five assists. And in a matchup with the race on Monday night, Rose closed their place in the playoffs thanks to another massive performance by Gray, who recorded 26 points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steel stats.
The veteran point guard also increased Angel Reese's play. Reese averages 13 points and 12.3 rebounds per game this season.
Healthy Chelsea Gray can write about the success of the ace next year
Next season, the ace has chosen to join Los Angeles this offseason without Kelsey Plum. Instead, they won another long-term All-Star, Jewel Lloyd. A'ja Wilson is fresh from his third MVP season, with Jackie Young returning to ACES to help with the backcourt anchor.
Still, Grey's production is important as the ace appears to compete for the WNBA championship again. Unralided is a full court 3-3 league, so it's not a perfect prediction of what a 5-5 success will look like in the WNBA.
But Gray's series speaks for itself – and the fact that she's back to such a good rhythm is a welcome sign for Las Vegas.
And in the short term, Gray's comeback is a great sign for her Rose club, which has earned spots in the unparalleled postseason.
“We started off with a bit of rocky stuff, I just said I'd stay on the course,” Gray said after hitting the winner of the game on Monday. “All the players come in, they do the extra work, we love being together, we try to compete, they actually get better, and it's showing up there on the court.”
