5 Biggest Questions for Las Vegas Sports in 2024
2024 is almost here, and with it comes many intriguing questions. Things like whether the Aces can make history by winning a third straight championship. Or who will become the new head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders?
Below, we'll count down the five biggest questions for Las Vegas sports in 2024.
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Source. YouTube[/caption]
Noah Gragson needs a new ride for the 2024 NASCAR season, and there may not be many available. The most high-profile rides still unfilled are the #16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet and the #10 Stewart Haas Racing Ford. Both are solid opportunities and would allow Gragson to be competitive. It’s just a matter of putting the past year behind him.
The Las Vegas native was mired in controversy during the 2023 season after liking a racially insensitive post on X. He was promptly suspended by NASCAR and was ordered to undergo sensitivity training. Before his reinstatement, however, Gragson asked for his release from Legacy Motorsports so he could sit out the rest of the season.
Despite his bad stats and online controversy, he is linked to the #10 Stewart Haas Racing Ford in 2024. The move would be an upgrade from his ride at Legacy Motorsports, but it likely depends on sponsorship. Unfortunately for Gragson, he might have a hard time selling himself now.
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Source. Las Vegas Raiders[/caption]
One of the biggest questions facing the Las Vegas Raiders is whether they will make the 2024 playoffs. Of course, they are well out of contention for a first-round bye but could slip into a wild-card spot. This depends on what happens in the last five games of the 2023-2024 season and how they do against their divisional opponents.
Their biggest challenges will be their second meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs and a season finale against the Denver Broncos. They also have to deal with the Chargers and the Colts in games they can’t afford to lose. Realistically, they have to go 5-0 or close if they want a chance.
However, Antonio Pierce has given mixed results so far, and the team still relies on rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell. Combine that with a struggling defense, and postseason looks like a pipedream.
The Las Vegas Golden Knights seem to be one of the most unpredictable teams in the NHL right now. They started the season with a seven-game win streak that had many pegging them as repeat champions. Then they began to tailspin out of nowhere as penalty minutes and losses racked up.
The Knights are still well-positioned for the playoffs, but another big skid could hurt that. Then there’s the problem of the Golden Knights repeatedly getting forced into overtime and coming out the losers. These stats don’t bode well for a championship repeat and raise significant questions.
The defense is also having trouble holding up, giving up a lot of key scores this season. They seem to do even worse in overtime. There’s no telling where a team like this will go in a league stacked with great opponents.
Related: 5 Las Vegas sports stats fans need to see to believe
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Source. YouTube[/caption]
Antonio Pierce is doing a serviceable job as interim head coach, and there are even rumblings in the Raiders locker room threatening mutiny if he isn’t picked as the new head coach. The problem with that, however, is that he faces a slew of tough competition.
This includes Rich Bisaccia, Jim Harbough, Jon Gruden, Frank Smith, and Frank Johson. That’s a lot of big names to choose from, and Pierce doesn't exactly stand out at first glance. Of course, he’s got the locker room behind him right now, but who’s to say that’s permanent?
Owner John Davis has proven time and time again that he wants a big name in the coaching position, which is another strike against Pierce. This fact seems to point to the position going to Jim Harbough, who is only two games away from capturing a title, and former head coach Jon Gruden.
And then there are other choices like Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the Miami Dolphins' Frank Smith. Both are having career-defining seasons, making them great options for the job.
Finally, there’s Rich Bissacia, who the Raiders passed up on in favor of Josh McDaniels
A WNBA team hasn't won three straight championships in almost 23 years, giving the Las Vegas Aces a chance to make history in 2024. The craziest part is there’s not a lot standing in their way of doing it. They already went 34-6 in the regular season and 9-1 in the playoffs. Las Vegas also has some of the best players the WNBA offers.
This includes A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Kiah Stokes, Candance Parker, and Chelsea Grey, who are notorious for dominating the hardwood. Las Vegas even has a stacked bench, including Aysha Clark, Sydney Slocum, and Cayla George.
The Ace's biggest weapon is arguably Becky Hammon as their head coach. She is one of the driving forces behind the Aces and has outstrategized every team in the league. Next: Everything happening during Super Bowl week in Las Vegas
Below, we'll count down the five biggest questions for Las Vegas sports in 2024.
#5 Where will Noah Gragson land after leaving Legacy Motorsports?
[caption id="attachment_40649" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]Noah Gragson needs a new ride for the 2024 NASCAR season, and there may not be many available. The most high-profile rides still unfilled are the #16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet and the #10 Stewart Haas Racing Ford. Both are solid opportunities and would allow Gragson to be competitive. It’s just a matter of putting the past year behind him.
The Las Vegas native was mired in controversy during the 2023 season after liking a racially insensitive post on X. He was promptly suspended by NASCAR and was ordered to undergo sensitivity training. Before his reinstatement, however, Gragson asked for his release from Legacy Motorsports so he could sit out the rest of the season.
Despite his bad stats and online controversy, he is linked to the #10 Stewart Haas Racing Ford in 2024. The move would be an upgrade from his ride at Legacy Motorsports, but it likely depends on sponsorship. Unfortunately for Gragson, he might have a hard time selling himself now.
#4 Will the Las Vegas Raiders make the playoffs in 2024?
[caption id="attachment_42148" align="alignnone" width="819"]
Source. Las Vegas Raiders[/caption]One of the biggest questions facing the Las Vegas Raiders is whether they will make the 2024 playoffs. Of course, they are well out of contention for a first-round bye but could slip into a wild-card spot. This depends on what happens in the last five games of the 2023-2024 season and how they do against their divisional opponents.
Their biggest challenges will be their second meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs and a season finale against the Denver Broncos. They also have to deal with the Chargers and the Colts in games they can’t afford to lose. Realistically, they have to go 5-0 or close if they want a chance.
However, Antonio Pierce has given mixed results so far, and the team still relies on rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell. Combine that with a struggling defense, and postseason looks like a pipedream.
#3 What happens to the Las Vegas Golden Knights?
The Las Vegas Golden Knights seem to be one of the most unpredictable teams in the NHL right now. They started the season with a seven-game win streak that had many pegging them as repeat champions. Then they began to tailspin out of nowhere as penalty minutes and losses racked up.
The Knights are still well-positioned for the playoffs, but another big skid could hurt that. Then there’s the problem of the Golden Knights repeatedly getting forced into overtime and coming out the losers. These stats don’t bode well for a championship repeat and raise significant questions.
The defense is also having trouble holding up, giving up a lot of key scores this season. They seem to do even worse in overtime. There’s no telling where a team like this will go in a league stacked with great opponents.
Related: 5 Las Vegas sports stats fans need to see to believe
#2 Who becomes the new coach of the Las Vegas Raiders?
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Source. YouTube[/caption]Antonio Pierce is doing a serviceable job as interim head coach, and there are even rumblings in the Raiders locker room threatening mutiny if he isn’t picked as the new head coach. The problem with that, however, is that he faces a slew of tough competition.
This includes Rich Bisaccia, Jim Harbough, Jon Gruden, Frank Smith, and Frank Johson. That’s a lot of big names to choose from, and Pierce doesn't exactly stand out at first glance. Of course, he’s got the locker room behind him right now, but who’s to say that’s permanent?
Owner John Davis has proven time and time again that he wants a big name in the coaching position, which is another strike against Pierce. This fact seems to point to the position going to Jim Harbough, who is only two games away from capturing a title, and former head coach Jon Gruden.
And then there are other choices like Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the Miami Dolphins' Frank Smith. Both are having career-defining seasons, making them great options for the job.
Finally, there’s Rich Bissacia, who the Raiders passed up on in favor of Josh McDaniels
#1 Will the Las Vegas Aces win three straight championships?
A WNBA team hasn't won three straight championships in almost 23 years, giving the Las Vegas Aces a chance to make history in 2024. The craziest part is there’s not a lot standing in their way of doing it. They already went 34-6 in the regular season and 9-1 in the playoffs. Las Vegas also has some of the best players the WNBA offers.
This includes A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Kiah Stokes, Candance Parker, and Chelsea Grey, who are notorious for dominating the hardwood. Las Vegas even has a stacked bench, including Aysha Clark, Sydney Slocum, and Cayla George.
The Ace's biggest weapon is arguably Becky Hammon as their head coach. She is one of the driving forces behind the Aces and has outstrategized every team in the league. Next: Everything happening during Super Bowl week in Las Vegas