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

Las Vegas Aces: From Humiliation to Domination in the WNBA

The Las Vegas Aces, with their morale down after a historic 53-point defeat against the Minnesota Lynx, returned to their court with a thirst for revenge. The team, considered a dynasty in the WNBA, faced the Golden State Valkyries, an expansion team, with their pride on the line.

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

Chelsea Gray

The Aces tied a franchise record with 18 three-pointers and defeated the Valkyries by 24 points, marking the biggest turnaround in results in consecutive games in WNBA history, according to league data.

“When things aren’t going well, they can make you question things you thought you were very strong in,” Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon commented.

Becky Hammon

After an irregular start to the season, with ups and downs and a streak of three losses, the Aces managed to turn the situation around. Currently, they have won seven consecutive games and are tied with the Phoenix Mercury in fourth place in the WNBA standings. A’ja Wilson, the reigning MVP of the league, has been instrumental in this comeback, averaging 26.1 points and 13.3 rebounds during the winning streak. The team seems to be in a position to compete for the championship, and they could even host a first-round playoff series.

“You get excited because you see the potential. You see what they’re capable of,” Hammon said. “Now, it’s consistency. In basketball, anyone can be good for one night. But the greats, they’re good every night.”

Becky Hammon

After the defeat against the Lynx, Hammon implemented a new dynamic: the players had to prepare their own scouting reports. This strategy, led by Wilson, fostered greater participation and attention to detail, which resulted in immediate success.

“This has helped us come together so we can hold each other accountable,” Wilson commented.

A’ja Wilson

The Las Vegas defense, which Hammon called “atrocious” in the game against the Lynx, has transformed into one of the top five in the league, as well as being the second-best team in rebounds. This, in turn, has unleashed the team’s offensive potential, which has led the league in offensive efficiency for the last two weeks. Kelsey Plum’s departure and the arrival of new members to the coaching staff also forced the Aces to adapt. The chemistry and familiarity, forged through collaboration and communication, have been crucial to the team’s evolution. The incorporation of Jewell Loyd and four other new players brought a significant change in the team’s dynamics. Despite expectations, the adaptation process took longer than anticipated.

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

Chelsea Gray

Loyd, who struggled to find his rhythm, suggested coming off the bench. Hammon, though reluctant at first, eventually agreed to the change.

“I didn’t want her to feel like I was giving up on her or losing confidence in her, because that wasn’t the case,” Hammon said.

Becky Hammon

Loyd’s transition to banking has been a success, averaging 14.6 points in 25 minutes during his 10 games as a substitute.

“We know how to weather the storms at this point. At first, we couldn’t accomplish that. We didn’t understand that we have a completely new group, from top to bottom,” Wilson commented. “That takes time and requires giving ourselves a lot of time and a lot of communication.”

A’ja Wilson

After the defeat against Minnesota, Wilson sent a message to her teammates: forget the game and move on, but without forgetting how they felt. Wilson has taken on a more vocal leadership role, which has been key to the team’s success.

“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?”

A’ja Wilson

Wilson, known for her performance on the court, is focused on letting the game flow to her.

“I told myself after the All-Star break to just let the game come to me,” Wilson said.

A’ja Wilson

According to Hammon, Wilson’s growth in both her game and her leadership has kept the Aces’ locker room together.

“Many times it can fall apart when there are tough times after tough times or you’re so close and you lose another one. It’s easy to lose the locker room, not just with me, but with them amongst themselves,” Hammon said. “They haven’t. They’ve pushed through. My leaders have led when it’s hard and complicated.”

Becky Hammon

With nine games remaining in the regular season, the Aces are on a roll and 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. “You just keep demanding that greatness.”

Becky Hammon