There’s blame to go around after the Las Vegas Aces were blown out by several possible playoff teams. The organization is not in free fall, but doubts about its chances of winning another title are surfacing. Here, we’re counting down the five Las Vegas Aces most responsible for the team’s slip. Warning- some might surprise you.
#5 Becky Hammon, coach
Becky Hammon has established herself as the best coach in the WNBA, but that title is slipping. Hammon and her squad continue to take big losses against playoff opponents, bringing into question their chances in the postseason.
Some of this concerns the Aces losing Candace Parker, but a good coach can find a way around that. Furthermore, a good coach can find ways to get the most out of their team. Bill Laimbeer and the Aces did back in the 2020 bubble season, so Hammon should be able to do so, too.
While Hammon isn’t expected to win every game or every title, slipping against several prominent teams is not a good look. The loss to the Liberty in the Commissioner’s Cup is a perfect example. More teams are figuring her out, meaning she needs a new game plan.
#4 Chelsea Gray, guard
Chelsea Gray is another key piece of the Las Vegas Aces championship puzzle, which is why her performance is important. While Gray managed 13.7 points, 1.6 steals, 6.1 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 2022, she isn’t having the same luck now. She averages around 13.7 points per game, but her playmaking abilities are falling.
One stat that she is having trouble with is assists. She has dropped from 6.1 assists to only three assists per game, shutting down her ability to create shots. In the absence of Riquina Williams and Candace Parker, a lot more responsibilities are falling on Gray, and she doesn’t seem prepared. She is a scoring beast and can reliably put up double digits, but her playmaking needs improvement.
#3 Riquna Williams, guard
Riquina Williams has been on the bench for the entire season with a back injury and is suspended from the team after a domestic abuse incident. This leaves the defending Finals MVP out for an unknown period, and the Aces possibly without a key player.
Williams might not be a leading scorer for the Aces, or their best rebounder, but her minutes on the court have value. In Williams’s absence, the Aces don’t have the x-factor to carry them through some of these more difficult games. Her ability to contest shots alone is a reason why she is needed back on the hardwood.
One could argue that Williams hasn’t done anything this season, but her recent arrest jeopardizes the opportunity of playing later. It’s also created unneeded media attention.
Related: Worst-case scenarios for The Las Vegas Raiders in 2023.
#2 Candace Parker, forward
The Las Vegas Aces signed Candace Parker in a move that many saw as the final piece of a super team.
Parker might only contribute nine points per game, but she averages 5.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Those are crucial numbers when it comes to moving the ball around and getting her team second-chance points. Parker’s rebounding abilities are even a key reason why the Aces were able to blow out so many teams early on. The mix of her and A’ja Wilson was just too much for other teams to stop.
According to various sources, Parker has been dealing with a foot fracture and decided to undergo surgery. Although it’s great for Parker to regain full health, they still need her this season. As much as you want to sympathize with her, she came into this season knowing she had this injury. She then bowed out after two-thirds of the season due to intolerable pain. Wouldn’t it have made sense for her to give up that roster spot to someone who could complete the season?
#1 A’ja Wilson, small forward
A’ja Wilson is the key player maker for the Las Vegas Aces and a major reason for their success. She averages 21.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game this season so far in 2023. Unfortunately, she is having difficulties continuing to put up these numbers in the final stretch.
In the Commissioner’s Cup against the Liberty, Wilson managed nine points and five rebounds. This was one of her worst performances and a bad sign for the playoffs. She also seems to be having trouble getting defensive stops and bringing down rebounds.
Wilson is the key piece of the Aces, and these kinds of performances can’t happen on her watch. She is usually someone who can easily put up a double-double and now is getting held under ten points. The Aces either need to find help for Wilson or create better shots for her.
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