{"id":100607,"date":"2025-08-27T10:39:40","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T10:39:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/100607\/"},"modified":"2025-08-27T10:39:40","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T10:39:40","slug":"why-the-las-vegas-aces-are-the-team-nobody-wants-to-see-in-the-wnba-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/100607\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Las Vegas Aces are the team nobody wants to see in the WNBA playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO \u2014 The Las Vegas Aces are back to their old selves. And that ought to scare the hell out of the rest of the WNBA.<\/p>\n

After falling two games below .500 on July 10 and being in danger of missing the playoffs, the Aces take an 11-game win streak into Atlanta on Wednesday night (7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV). Their win over Chicago on Monday clinched a playoff spot, and they could move up to the No. 2 seed with a win against the Dream.<\/p>\n

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\u201cPeople should be nervous,\u201d Aces point guard Chelsea Gray told USA TODAY Sports. \u201cI still don\u2019t think that we\u2019ve really hit our peak yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Aces, back-to-back champs in 2022 and 2023 and semifinalists last year, were quietly and then not so quietly written off after an awful start to the season. The low point came after the All-Star break, when they got walloped twice in eight days by the Minnesota Lynx.<\/p>\n

The first loss, by 31 points, was bad. The second, by 53 points, was a cover-your-eyes-and-hide-the-children train wreck.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a locker room full of frustration and my biggest goal was just keep everybody on the ship and keep the ship moving in the right direction. Nobody gets to jump overboard,\u201d Aces coach Becky Hammon said.<\/p>\n

From the outside, Las Vegas\u2019 struggles were confounding. The Aces still had four starters from their 2023 championship team, including A\u2019ja Wilson, the three-time MVP and most dominant player in the game, and Gray, one of the best point guards in WNBA history. <\/p>\n

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They\u2019d added Jewell Loyd, a two-time WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm and 2023 scoring leader, and veteran Dana Evans. Hammon, in her fourth season after returning to the WNBA, is now one of the league\u2019s longest-tenured coaches.<\/p>\n

But the losses of Kelsey Plum and Alysha Clark, along with former assistants Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries<\/a>) and Tyler Marsh (Chicago Sky), meant this was a very different team. Even with their biggest names still around, this Aces team needed to establish its own rhythm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe spoiled a lot of people with the way we played and how we played, and they expected that year after year from us when it looks different, it was very different, for us. We had a completely new team from top to bottom, and that takes time,\u201d Wilson told USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n

OPINION: Three-time MVP A’ja Wilson remains one of one <\/a><\/p>\n

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Under Hammon, Las Vegas had become a fast-paced offensive juggernaut. The 2023 title team had four players who averaged 15 points or more, and the 2022 team had three. (Gray averaged 13.7 points in 2022.) The Aces had the league\u2019s top offensive rating in 2022 and 2023, and were second last year.<\/p>\n

This version of the Aces doesn\u2019t have that same firepower. Or speed, much to Hammon\u2019s irritation.<\/p>\n

The Aces are currently seventh in scoring, at 82.8 points a game. They\u2019re taking fewer shots (67.4) than they did in both 2023 (69.2) and 2022 (70.3), and their pace and offensive ratings are the lowest, by far, of Hammon\u2019s tenure.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of it\u2019s been intentional. I hate playing slow,\u201d Hammon said. \u201cI want that ball kicked up. I want to play faster. But at the end of the day, it’s like the personality of your kid. It’s going to be what it’s going to be. I can’t make it be something it’s not.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The difference is this team is better defensively than Hammon\u2019s previous Las Vegas teams.<\/p>\n

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The Connecticut Sun’s Aaliyah Edwards grabs a rebound over the Washington Mystics’ Emily Engstler during the second half at CareFirst Arena on Aug. 19. The Sun won the game, 80-69.<\/p>\n

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The Connecticut Sun’s Aaliyah Edwards grabs a rebound over the Washington Mystics’ Emily Engstler during the second half at CareFirst Arena on Aug. 19. The Sun won the game, 80-69.<\/p>\n

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The Dallas Wings’ Maddy Siegrist blocks a shot by the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson during the second quarter of their game at Michelob Ultra Arena on Aug. 17.<\/p>\n

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Los Angeles Sparks guard Julie Allemand (20) tries to control the ball during an Aug. 15 game against the Dallas Wings.<\/p>\n

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Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (5) moves past Dallas Wings center Luisa Geiselsoder (18) during the first half of their Aug. 15 game.<\/p>\n

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The Connecticut Sun’s Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) beats the Chicago Sky’s Elizabeth Williams to the rebound during the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on Aug. 13.<\/p>\n

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The Golden State Valkyries’ mascot, Violet, is introduced during halftime of the game against the Connecticut Sun at Chase Center on Aug. 11<\/p>\n

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The Connecticut Sun’s Aneesah Morrow controls a rebound against the Golden State Valkyries’ Cecilia Zandalasini during the first quarter at Chase Center on Aug. 11.<\/p>\n

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The Washington Mystics’ Jacy Sheldon (4) has her shot blocked by the Dallas Wings’ Li Yueru during the first half at College Park Center on Aug. 10. The Mystics won the game, 91-78.<\/p>\n

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The Atlanta Dream’s Jordin Canada (3) defends against the Chicago Sky’s Ariel Atkins (7) during the first half at Wintrust Arena on Aug. 7.<\/p>\n

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The Chicago Sky’s Kamilla Cardoso (10) shoots against the Washington Mystics during the first half at Wintrust Arena on Aug. 5. The Sky won the game, 78-64.<\/p>\n

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The Atlanta Dream’s Allisha Gray (15) shoots over the Washington Mystics’ Sonia Citron (22) during the third quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park on Aug. 3. The Dream won the game, 99-83.<\/p>\n

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The Atlanta Dream’s Maya Caldwell (33) shoots past the Dallas Wings’ Luisa Geiselsoder during the first half at College Park Center on July 30.<\/p>\n

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The Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese (5) shoots the ball as the Washington Mystics’ Kiki Iriafen (44) defends during the first half at CareFirst Arena on July 29. The Mystics won the game, 103-86.<\/p>\n

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The New York Liberty’s Isabelle Harrison looks to move to the basket past the Dallas Wings’ Myisha Hines-Allen (2), Paige Bueckers (5) and Li Yueru (28) during the first half at College Park Center on July 28.<\/p>\n

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The Connecticut Sun’s Haley Peters (7) and Golden State Valkyries’ Iliana Rupert (12) work for the rebound during the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena on July 27. The Sun won the game, 95-64.<\/p>\n

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The Connecticut Sun’s Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) defends against the Los Angeles Sparks’ Rae Burrell during the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on July 24.<\/p>\n

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The Washington Mystics’ Aaliyah Edwards (24) reacts after a foul call against the Los Angeles Sparks during the first quarter at CareFirst Arena on July 22.<\/p>\n

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The Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) drives against the Seattle Storm’s Skylar Diggins during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena on July 16. The Storm won the game, 67-58.<\/p>\n

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The Los Angeles Sparks’ Dearica Hamby (5) reaches in for the ball controlled by the Washington Mystics’ Emily Engstler (21) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on July 15. The Sparks won the game, 99-80.<\/p>\n

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The Chicago Sky’s Elizabeth Williams (1) defends against the Minnesota Lynx’s Jessica Shepard during the first half at Wintrust Arena on July 14. The Lynx won the game, 91-78.<\/p>\n

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The Atlanta Dream’s Jordin Canada (3) collides with the New York Liberty’s Nyara Sabally during the first quarter at Barclays Center on July 13. The Liberty won the game, 79-72.<\/p>\n

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The Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark calls timeout while the Golden State Valkyries’ Tiffany Hayes defends during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 9. The Valkyries won the game, 80-61.<\/p>\n

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The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart (left) and Las Vegas Aces’ Jackie Young (0) fight for a loose ball during the third quarter at Barclays Center on July 8. The Liberty won the game, 87-78.<\/p>\n

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The Las Vegas Aces’ Kierstan Bell (1) blocks the shot of the Connecticut Sun’s Aneesah Morrow (24) during the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena on July 6. The Aces won the game, 86-68.<\/p>\n

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The Minnesota Lynx’s Diamond Miller fouls the Golden State Valkyries’ Temi Fagbenle while shooting in the fourth quarter at Target Center on July 5.<\/p>\n

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The Washington Mystics’ Brittney Sykes (20) looks toward the ball after losing control against the Minnesota Lynx during the first half at Target Center on July 3.<\/p>\n

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The Indiana Fever’s Lexie Hull (10) and Los Angeles Sparks’ Rickea Jackson vie for possession of the ball during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 26. The Sparks won the game, 85-75.<\/p>\n

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The Seattle Storm’s Zia Cooke (7) shoots the ball while guarded by the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena on June 24.<\/p>\n

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The Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham (8) fouls the Las Vegas Aces’ Tiffany Mitchell (3) during the first half at T-Mobile Arena on June 22. The Aces won the game, 89-81.<\/p>\n

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The Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers (5) shoots the ball against the Washington Mystics during the second half at Entertainment & Sports Arena on June 22. The Mystics won the game, 91-88, in overtime.<\/p>\n

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The Connecticut Sun’s Marina Mabrey (3) fouls Caitlin Clark during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 17. The Indiana Fever won the game, 88-71.<\/p>\n

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The Las Vegas Aces’ Jackie Young (0) shoots the ball as the Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith (8) attempts to block the ball during the first half at Target Center on June 17.<\/p>\n

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The Golden State Valkyries’ Laeticia Amihere (3) and Dallas Wings’ Li Yueru (28) go for the ball during the first half at College Park Center on June 17.<\/p>\n

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The Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark (22) shoots the ball while the New York Liberty’s Kennedy Burke defends during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 14. The Fever won the game, 102-88.<\/p>\n

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The Dallas Wings’ DiJonai Carrington (21) makes a pass around the Las Vegas Aces’ Aaliyah Nye during the third quarter at Michelob Ultra Arena on June 13. The Aces won the game, 88-84.<\/p>\n

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The Los Angeles Sparks’ Kelsey Plum (10) attempts to score a layup as the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson defends during the second half at Michelob Ultra Arena on June 11. The Sparks won the game, 97-89.<\/p>\n

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The LA Sparks’ Emma Cannon (32) and Golden State Valkyries’ Kate Martin (20) battle for the ball during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on June 9.<\/p>\n

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The Washington Mystics’ Brittney Sykes (20) attempts a lay up in front of the Connecticut Sun’s Tina Charles (31) during the first quarter at CareFirst Arena on June 8. The Mystics won the game, 104-67.<\/p>\n

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The Golden State Valkyries’ Cecilia Zandalasini shoots against the Las Vegas Aces during the first quarter at Chase Center on June 7. The Valkyries won the game, 95-68.<\/p>\n

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The Los Angeles Sparks’ Azura Stevens (23) and Dallas Wings’ Teaira McCowan go for the ball during the second half at College Park Center on June 6. The Sparks won the game, 93-79.<\/p>\n

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The Phoenix Mercury’s Megan McConnell (16) shoots the ball from her knees over the Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith (8) during the second half at Target Center on June 3.<\/p>\n

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The Las Vegas Aces’ Chelsea Gray (12) collides with the Los Angeles Sparks’ Kelsey Plum (10) during the fourth quarter of their game at Michelob Ultra Arena on May 30.<\/p>\n

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LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) is fouled by Atlanta Dream guard Maya Caldwell (33) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on May 27, 2025.<\/p>\n

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The Seattle Storm’s Ezi Magbegor (13) goes to the basket against the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier (24) during the first quarter at Target Center on May 27, 2025.<\/p>\n

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The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart (30) shoots the ball while the Indiana Fever’s Aliyah Boston (7) defends during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket against the Atlanta Dream in the third quarter at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n

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Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) passes the ball against the Indiana Fever in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots against the Atlanta Dream in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n

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Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42) shoots against the Indiana Fever in the first half at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots against the Atlanta Dream in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n

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Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) shoots against the Atlanta Dream in the second half at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n

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Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) brings the ball up court against the New York Liberty during the second half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.<\/p>\n

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New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) jokes with Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso (10) during the first half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.<\/p>\n

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Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2) brings the ball up court against the New York Liberty during the second half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.<\/p>\n

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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket against Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins (7) during the first half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.<\/p>\n

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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) talks to her teammates during the second half against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.<\/p>\n

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Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) drives to the basket against New York Liberty forward Kennedy Burke (22) during the second half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.<\/p>\n

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Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes (20) celebrates after a basket against the Golden State Valkyries in the fourth quarter at Chase Center on May 21, 2025 in San Francisco, California.<\/p>\n

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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) brings the ball up as Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) defends her in the fourth quarter at Target Center on May 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.<\/p>\n

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Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) works around Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (6) in the third quarter at Target Center on May 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.<\/p>\n

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Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle (14) congratulates guard Veronica Burton (22) after Burton made a three point basket at the buzzer against the Washington Mystics in the second quarter at Chase Center on May 21, 2025 in San Francisco.<\/p>\n

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Los Angeles Sparks guard Sarah Ashlee Barker (13) fouls Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the second half at Footprint Center on May 21, 2025 in Phoenix.<\/p>\n

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Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) drives on Phoenix Mercury guard Alexa Held (1) in the first half at Footprint Center on May 21, 2025 in Phoenix.<\/p>\n

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Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) reacts after a call against the Connecticut Sun in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 20, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.<\/p>\n

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Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) drives the ball against Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon (4) in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 20, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.<\/p>\n

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Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) makes the basket against the Connecticut Sun in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 20, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.<\/p>\n

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Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams (5) looks to pass the ball by Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the first half at College Park Center on May 19 in Arlington, Texas.<\/p>\n

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Seattle Storm guard Erica Wheeler (17) celebrates from the team bench during the first half against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center on May 19 in Arlington, Texas.<\/p>\n

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Dallas Wings forward Maddy Siegrist (20) collides with Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams (5) during the second half at College Park Center on May 19 in Arlington, Texas.<\/p>\n

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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on May 18, 2025 in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

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Los Angeles Sparks guard Sarah Ashlee Barker (13) looks to pass against Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on May 18, 2025 in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) shoots the ball over Los Angeles Sparks forward Azura Stevens (23) during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on May 18, 2025 in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir ownership and their accountability on that end of the floor with each other has really gone through the roof,\u201d Hammon said. \u201cEven with a high-powered offense, you have a bad shooting night, a lot of times you’re in jeopardy of losing games. And with this team we can shoot terrible and still win some games.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since that terrible, awful, no good loss to Minnesota, the Aces are allowing 77.8 points a game. That\u2019s an improvement of more than five points from the first 28 games. They haven\u2019t allowed anyone to score more than 87 points, after giving up 90 or more nine times in the early going.<\/p>\n

The addition of NaLyssa Smith, acquired from Dallas right before the All-Star break, has only strengthened the Aces on the defensive end.<\/p>\n

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In Monday night\u2019s game against the Chicago Sky, Las Vegas was clinging to a two-point lead, and its win streak, with 1:21 left to play. Smith delivered a monster block on Kamilla Cardoso\u2019s close-range layup, then had the defensive rebounds on Chicago\u2019s next two possessions as Las Vegas escaped with a 79-74 win.<\/p>\n

\u201cBack in what? Early May, June, we probably would’ve lost this game,\u201d Aces guard Jackie Young said. \u201cBut I think it just shows our growth throughout the year and how we’re able to just come together as a team and grind out a win.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Wednesday\u2019s game, the Aces\u2019 eighth in 14 days, they will get a week off before playing Minnesota again. It will be a measure of how far Las Vegas has come and, improbable as it was just a month ago, a possible preview of the WNBA Finals.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just trying to hit our stride,\u201d Gray said. \u201cThere’s times where we play a good 30-minute game. Or a 32-minute dominant game. We’re looking forward to 40.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The rest of the W should consider itself warned.<\/p>\n

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour. <\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Las Vegas Aces have been the suprise of WNBA season. Twice.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"CHICAGO \u2014 The Las Vegas Aces are back to their old selves. And that ought to scare the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":100608,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[629],"tags":[4662,12190,505,8133,49,48,58214,12199,6681,726,7236,38507,1612,4661,16666,734,631,1483,3460,35697,1611,82,630,36516],"class_list":["post-100607","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wnba","tag-aja-wilson","tag-alysha-clark","tag-atlanta","tag-becky-hammon","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-championship-team","tag-chelsea-gray","tag-chicago","tag-chicago-sky","tag-dallas","tag-dana-evans","tag-golden-state-valkyries","tag-jackie-young","tag-jewell-loyd","tag-kamilla-cardoso","tag-kelsey-plum","tag-las-vegas","tag-las-vegas-aces","tag-nalyssa-smith","tag-seattle-storm","tag-sports","tag-wnba","tag-wnba-history"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100607","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100607"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100607\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100608"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100607"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100607"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}