Aces coach Becky Hammon spent most of the team\u2019s 2025 rollercoaster WNBA title run harping on defense.<\/p>\n
As the reigning champions opened the preseason Sunday with a 94-78 win over the Japan national team at Michelob Ultra Arena, Hammon picked up where she left off.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest thing is, obviously defensively \u2014 We didn\u2019t come out with the appropriate mindset,\u201d Hammon said when asked what stood out to her about the game. \u201c<\/p>\n
Chennedy Carter scored 18 points in her debut for the Aces. Core guards Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray added 17 and 16 points, respectively.<\/p>\n
The Aces were without four-time league MVP A\u2019ja Wilson, who was listed as out with a right arm injury.<\/p>\n
Mai Yamamoto led Japan with 18 points, including 4-of-5 shooting from the 3-point line in the first half.<\/p>\n
Hammon noted that Japan\u2019s lack of size actually made the team more difficult to guard at the perimeter.<\/p>\n
Despite the Aces leading Japan 20-9 at one point, the game was tied at 30-30 as the first quarter ended.<\/p>\n
The Aces outscored Japan 22-15 in the second quarter, earning a 54-45 halftime lead.<\/p>\n
The Aces figured things out defensively in the third quarter, limiting Japan to 12 points in the period.<\/p>\n
Here are three takeaways from the win:<\/p>\n
1. Carter makes WNBA return<\/p>\n
After a season away from the league, it was technically Carter\u2019s first WNBA game since 2024.<\/p>\n
Carter got to the rim at ease, and even provided a defensive edge in her debut. Hammon and Gray, speaking to reporters separately, both emphasized how much of an edge Carter\u2019s speed provides.<\/p>\n
She was a huge fan favorite to the Aces\u2019 home crowd, drawing cheers every time she touched the ball. It was as if the fans knew Carter was bound to make something special happen.<\/p>\n
From Carter\u2019s vantage point, she won\u2019t feel like she\u2019s arrived until the Aces face another WNBA team. That\u2019ll happen May 3 against the Dallas Wings in Austin, Texas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe real return is when the preseason starts against Dallas,\u201d Carter said. \u201cBut this was a great opportunity for me to get familiar with my teammates and the coaching staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust to have fun and really be back out there after 500-plus days.\u201d<\/p>\n
2. Minutes earned<\/p>\n
Hammon said pregame that her starting lineup and rotations interpreted too much; she\u2019s simply trying things with it being so early.<\/p>\n
But for those curious, she opened with Young, Gray, Jewell Loyd, new forward Stephanie Talbot and NaLyssa Smith at center.<\/p>\n
Hammon\u2019s first substitution was Kierstan Bell in for Talbot, and forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus was next off the bench. Bell had 14 points and Talbot finished with two points and six rebounds. Parker-Tyus was held scoreless as she recorded three turnovers in five minutes, and she did not receive in play time in the second half.<\/p>\n
With two points and five rebounds and 19 minutes, new center Brianna Turner made a strong defensive impression with three blocks and two steals.<\/p>\n
Rookie Jordan Obi didn\u2019t enter the game until the final five minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the end of the day, the minutes are earned,\u201d Hammon said. \u201cIf I\u2019m a player and I\u2019m looking at how to get into the rotation, I\u2019m going to be doing all those little things like playing defense, rebounding, especially when I know if I have a limited role or limited minutes \u2013 being a rock star in those minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought (Turner) was like, really good tonight. (Bell) was really solid for us tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
3. Team health overview<\/p>\n
Wilson was listed as out with a right arm injury, and guard Dana Evans was out with a lower leg injury that has kept her out of training camp. Hammon didn\u2019t offer a timeline for Evans\u2019 return but Hammon said Friday that it\u2019s going to take \u201ca little while\u201d for her to return.<\/p>\n
Hammon said pregame that there were no long-term concerns for Wilson and that her absence was precautionary. Wilson participated in a full individual warmup prior to the game, but she was photographed with tape on her index and pinky fingers.<\/p>\n
Postgame, Hammon said she didn\u2019t know when Wilson would play next.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll check in with her,\u201d Hammon said. \u201cIf we were playing in a playoff series, she\u2019d be playing. Put it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wilson won\u2019t be the only player to watch, as rookie Janiah Barker seemed to sustain some sort of head or neck injury as she ran into a screen.<\/p>\n
Loyd avoided a major injury scare in the second quarter after she hit the court hard due to a trip over a fallen Team Japan player who she didn\u2019t see as she attempted to run down the court in transition. Loyd also appeared to get stepped on as she laid down in pain.<\/p>\n
She went to the locker room but returned at the start of the second half and finished with 13 points.<\/p>\n