Parker-Tyus seeks record return with Aces after giving birth: WNBA

Cheyenne Parker-Tyus is working hard to get back on the court this season and contribute to the Las Vegas Aces reaching another championship. The 11-year veteran signed with Las Vegas this offseason, aware that she would be out for most of the year due to her pregnancy with her second child. She gave birth to Yoshua on July 1st. Now, Parker-Tyus is looking to recover quickly from childbirth, setting September 9 as the target date for her first game. Other players like Napheesa Collier and Candace Parker have returned in the same season they gave birth. Parker did it in 53 days, while Collier took 74.

I investigated to see how quickly people came back. Can it be done? I always have the mindset that I am built differently.

Cheyenne Parker-Tyus

Parker-Tyus had a natural birth, unlike a cesarean in 2021, which she believes accelerated her recovery.

Most of the time you have to wait six weeks to start training, but I started at four weeks, so I think that gave me a bit of an advantage. I was able to start doing the little things a little earlier, like getting back to my core.

Cheyenne Parker-Tyus

The 33-year-old player could even surpass her target date, as she has the possibility of playing this weekend, when the Aces host the Chicago Sky on Sunday.

I would definitely like to play at least the last two games of the season, and that’s the plan, for now. Just going week by week, seeing how I feel.

Cheyenne Parker-Tyus

Parker-Tyus knows she can be of help to the Aces, who have won 12 consecutive games and have climbed to second place in the standings. Las Vegas won consecutive championships in 2022 and 2023 before losing to New York in the semifinals last season. Even she doubted the Aces would want her this year. Parker-Tyus was worried when she had a video call with Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon and team president Nikki Fargas in the winter, while playing in China, to gauge her interest. She knew she had to talk about her pregnancy. Parker-Tyus is friends with Dearica Hamby, who has an ongoing lawsuit against the Aces for alleged mistreatment due to her pregnancy. Hamby, who has two children, was always a support for her. Parker-Tyus said that Hamby was surprised by the Aces’ response, but knew that each situation is different.

I was sweating bullets. I’ve played in this league for a long time and I knew I just had to be honest and direct, and they appreciated it. I was so scared and nervous that they would say ‘we’ll get in touch next year’ or something like that.

Cheyenne Parker-Tyus

Hammon and Fargas quickly reassured Parker-Tyus during the call.

I know she was nervous and broke down in tears. We were all crying. It was actually a pretty cool moment. At the end of the day, bringing a baby into the world is incredible. We just said, ‘We’ll wait for you.’ We see her as a long-term piece. It wasn’t just for this year. We want to build that relationship with her and give her an environment where she can really flourish.

Becky Hammon

Any contribution that Parker-Tyus, who was an All-Star in 2023, can provide to Las Vegas will be an advantage at this time.

My job at the end of the day is always to do what’s best for the Aces and try to put the Aces in the best position to win. If we can integrate her, that will be great.

Becky Hammon