Aces Resurge: A’ja Wilson Leads Historic Comeback in the WNBA

Las Vegas Aces: Rise from Defeat with Determination

After a humiliating defeat, the Las Vegas Aces showed their mettle on the court. The team, wounded and needing to prove their worth, faced the Golden State Valkyries, seeking to regain their pride.

“We channel all our energy into that,” Aces guard Chelsea Gray said.

Chelsea Gray

The team tied a franchise record with 18 three-pointers and defeated the Valkyries by 24 points, the largest turnaround in consecutive games in WNBA history, according to records. This result reflects the Aces’ ability to recover and adapt.

“When things aren’t going well, you question things you thought you were very strong in,” said Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon. “You have to go back to the fundamentals. What is the basic problem here?”

Becky Hammon

After an irregular start to the season, the Aces have achieved a seven-game winning streak, tying with the Phoenix Mercury for fourth place in the WNBA standings. A’ja Wilson, the reigning MVP of the league, has been a key player, averaging impressive numbers during this streak. The challenge for the Aces is to maintain this momentum. Consistency is key to aiming for the highest.

A’ja Wilson averages 26.1 points and 13.3 rebounds, with 48.8% effectiveness in the Aces’ seven-game winning streak, scoring more than 30 points in three of the last four games. After the painful defeat against the Lynx, Hammon implemented a new strategy: the players had to create their own scouting reports. This collaborative approach sought to increase engagement and attention to detail. “This has helped us to come together and for everyone to be accountable,” commented Wilson. The Las Vegas defense, once labeled as “atrocious,” has significantly improved, positioning itself among the top five in the league. Furthermore, they have been the second-best team in rebounds. The departure of Kelsey Plum and the exit of the assistant coaches, coupled with the arrival of new talent, have required time for the team to adapt and find its rhythm.

“Our offense and defense are so fluid that we had to take time to learn and understand new habits,” Gray said. “Only when you learn those habits can you start to form as a team.”

Chelsea Gray

Jewell Loyd, after a period of adaptation, has found her place on the team. After a conversation with the coach, Loyd agreed to play off the bench, which has resulted in an increase in her performance. “We know how to weather the storms right now. At first, we couldn’t get that. We didn’t understand that we have a completely new group, from top to bottom,” Wilson said. “That takes time and takes giving us a lot of grace and a lot of communication.” After the defeat against Minnesota, Wilson sent a message to her teammates, urging them to move forward, but without forgetting the experience. This marked the beginning of her more vocal leadership, a crucial factor in the team’s evolution. “It’s easy to lead when you’re winning. Winning disguises a lot of different things,” Wilson said. “But when you’re in the trenches and things aren’t going well, when it seems like everyone has something to say about this Aces team, how do you lead that? How do you get all these minds to agree to stay calm through the noise?” Wilson has developed his leadership, achieving notable individual accomplishments. His ability to dominate matches is complemented by a team mentality. Trust and mutual support have been fundamental in overcoming the challenges. Despite the changes, the Aces have maintained unity and determination. With nine games remaining in the regular season, the Aces are looking to secure home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, which begin on September 14.

“This is what it takes to win championships. You have to get it right nine out of 10 times, 10 out of 10 times,” Hammon said. “Keep demanding that greatness.”

Becky Hammon