The Las Vegas Aces are as soon as once more WNBA champions. That assertion would have sounded very cheap again in Might, previous to the 2025 season, however absurd in early August when the Aces had been caught in eighth place and had simply been dismantled by 53 factors by the Minnesota Lynx.
That embarrassing defeat — the second-largest in WNBA historical past — proved to be the catalyst for essentially the most outstanding late-season turnaround the league has ever seen. The Aces received their ultimate 16 video games of the common season to complete 30-14 and earn the No. 2 seed within the playoffs by way of a tiebreaker over the Atlanta Dream. Their 16-game successful streak is tied for the second-longest in WNBA historical past.
Regardless of the Aces’ success down the stretch, the playoffs weren’t a stroll within the park. They blew Recreation 2 of their first-round collection with the Seattle Storm, and had been behind in Recreation 3 at house because the clock ticked beneath 20 seconds. Solely Jackie Younger’s late putback and a missed jumper from Skylar Diggins on the opposite finish prevented a first-round exit.
The Aces appeared to catch a significant break when the Indiana Fever upset the Dream within the first spherical, and so they had been main favorites towards the shorthanded Fever of their semifinal collection. Nonetheless, on the day that A’ja Wilson was offered her document fourth MVP trophy, the Aces had been shocked at house in Recreation 1. They bounced again to win Video games 2 and three handily, however dropped Recreation 4 on the highway, which arrange a deciding Recreation 5 again in Las Vegas. The Aces had been anticipated to cruise, particularly after Kelsey Mitchell left the sport within the third quarter, however they ended up needing extra time to advance to the Finals.
The Aces’ inconsistent play within the first two rounds created some doubts heading into the Finals, and so they almost misplaced Recreation 1 at house once more, however escaped when Alyssa Thomas missed two late free throws. They dominated Recreation 2, and had been in full management of Recreation 3 by the primary three quarters, however coughed up a 17-point lead within the fourth. Wilson saved the day, nonetheless, with a last-second jumper to offer them a 3-0 lead. In Recreation 4, they had been cruising once more till the Mercury launched into one other comeback try. This time, the Aces stemmed the tide earlier and didn’t want any late heroics to finish the sweep.
By defeating the Mercury, and successful their third title within the final 4 years, the Aces formally turned a WNBA dynasty. This was not their finest staff or most spectacular run, however they got here up with the performs they wanted in each single massive second, which is the true mark of a championship staff.
“Clearly we wish to win extra, we wish to grasp extra banners, however I believe this yr tell us that … no journey’s the identical, however you may nonetheless get the identical end result if you happen to purchase in,” Wilson mentioned throughout her exit interview. “You noticed that in us this yr greater than ever. We had been questioning if we had been gonna make the playoffs. I’ve by no means in my thoughts, on this time beneath Becky Hammon, have I ever been like, ‘OK, if we make the playoffs we could be in good condition.’ And that was me this yr. I used to be like, ‘if we are able to simply make the playoffs, we’re good.’ I believe our subsequent degree is knowing that, sure, they’re gonna look totally different, however you may get the identical outcomes if you happen to simply actually purchase in and put your thoughts to it.”
Subsequent season, the Aces can have an opportunity to hold one other banner and grow to be the primary staff in league historical past to have two separate repeats. However first, Wilson, Hammon and the Aces’ entrance workplace must navigate essentially the most consequential offseason in league historical past.
The place do Aces rank amongst WNBA’s all-time groups? A definitive historical past and rating of the league’s dynasties
Jack Maloney
Season at a look
- File: 30-14 (No. 2 seed)
- Offensive ranking: 105.9 (4th)
- Defensive ranking: 101.9 (eighth)
- Internet ranking: plus-3.9 (fifth)
Largest energy
Having A’ja Wilson
Wilson, who received her fourth MVP and third Defensive Participant of the Yr award this season, is the most effective participant on the earth and a game-changer on either side of the ball for the Aces. Right here mere presence is Las Vegas’ largest benefit. As we noticed within the Finals, when Wilson averaged 28.5 factors, 11.8 rebounds, 4 assists, one steal and two blocks and hit the game-winner in Recreation 3, opponents typically don’t have any reply for her.
Largest weak spot
Depth
The Aces’ determination to shift Jewell Loyd to a reserve function boosted lots of their official “bench” stats, as a result of she nonetheless performed starter-level minutes. Nonetheless, they as soon as once more had actual depth points all season lengthy. Wilson and Younger scored 45.2% of their factors within the common season and 53.3% of their factors within the playoffs. Come playoff time, Hammon actually solely trusted six gamers. Whereas they had been nonetheless in a position to win the title anyway, that is an space they will have to deal with within the offseason.
Key free brokers
This would be the most original free company interval (and offseason) in WNBA historical past. Solely two gamers not on rookie scale offers — Kalani Brown and Lexie Brown — are beneath contract for 2026. Each different veteran maneuvered to grow to be a free agent this winter with an eye fixed on a large pay increase each time the brand new collective bargaining settlement is ratified.
The Aces, who’ve relied extra closely on veterans than most groups, are almost a clean slate for 2026. The one participant beneath contract is 2025 second-round Aaliyah Nye, and her deal is non-guaranteed. She confirmed some good flashes as a rookie, so the Aces will virtually definitely maintain her, but when they wished to, they may utterly clear the books this winter.
Wilson will, after all, be the staff’s fundamental precedence, however that must be a reasonably easy negotiation. The Aces will clearly wish to re-sign her and she or he has made it clear repeatedly that she needs to retire with the group.
“I do not wish to,” Wilson mentioned in February, when requested if she would ever play for one more WNBA staff. “That is extra of a front-office query, however Vegas will without end be my house. I used to be their first draft decide ever of the franchise, so that they actually introduced me in. And the issues that we have finished — straight out the gate, we set the usual for the league to comply with, and we put a whole lot of different franchises within the league on their heels. If I might retire an Ace, I’d like to. I do not see myself placing on any totally different jersey.”
Likewise, it’s extremely troublesome to think about Younger and Grey transferring elsewhere. Neither they nor the staff would have any motive to interrupt up their partnership. Loyd had a irritating season total, however was superior within the Finals. The staff will doubtless wish to carry her again, however she’s not going to be their highest earner like she was this season.
As for a few of their bench items, it is easy to see Evans and Smith returning. Evans shot the lights out within the playoffs and Smith performed a significant function of their midseason turnaround. Plus, they gave up a 2027 first-round decide for Smith, so they’re going to let her stroll this winter.
It could not be a shock to see some vital turnover with the remainder of the roster. Depth has been a significant concern for the Aces in recent times, and that is their first likelihood to essentially reset. Counting on Wilson and Younger as a lot as they did this season is unsustainable, particularly with Grey and Loyd (assuming they keep) getting older.
Till the brand new CBA is in place and we all know the principles totally free company, in addition to key numbers such because the 2026 wage cap and the brand new most, minimal and rookie salaries, it is too troublesome to foretell precisely what the Aces will do to fill out their roster, however they need to be a gorgeous free agent vacation spot coming off one more title.
Draft outlook
The Aces despatched their 2026 first-round decide to the Seattle Storm as a part of the three-team deal that despatched Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks and introduced again Loyd. In consequence, their solely choices this yr are their second- and third-round picks at Nos. 29 and 44.
Whereas the Aces will nonetheless do their due diligence, late second- and third-round picks not often even make rosters, not to mention grow to be contributors, particularly on contenders. This yr’s draft will just about be a write-off for the Aces, a minimum of by way of 2026 impression. With their late picks, they may take a look at some draft-and-stash choices to doubtlessly enhance their expertise pool down the road.
