Over the past six seasons, the Las Vegas Aces have celebrated success, securing two WNBA championships. However, the 2025 season paints a different picture.
Currently struggling with a 5-6 record, the Aces have lost four of their last five games, placing them in a tie for seventh in the standings. They rank ninth in the league across various metrics including scoring average, and both offensive and defensive ratings.
Three-time MVP A’ja Wilson has been sidelined for three games due to concussion protocols, while Jewell Loyd, acquired in an offseason trade, is averaging just 11.2 points per game—her lowest since entering the league in 2015. Loyd’s shooting percentages have plummeted to a career-worst 35.4% from the field and 75.0% from the foul line.
Coach Becky Hammon expressed the team’s inconsistency, stating, “We’re still searching for that 40-minute game. It’s like a damn unicorn.”
The upcoming matches against the Seattle Storm (Friday at 10 p.m. ET on ION) and the Indiana Fever (Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN) will be critical as the Aces aim to reclaim their form. ESPN’s analysts, including Michael Voepel, Alexa Philippou, Kendra Andrews, and Kevin Pelton, will delve into the underlying issues facing the team.
Understanding Championship Timelines
The Aces’ current difficulties arise from specific shortcomings, but also highlight a broader trend in professional sports: championship windows are often short-lived. Frequent roster changes, salary caps, and the influx of new talent typically limit a team’s dominance to only a few years.
In the WNBA, where tight salary caps exist, successful franchises may find it challenging to adapt. Maintaining a core group often prevents teams from securing high draft picks, making them vulnerable to others catching up.
The Aces had the privilege of securing three consecutive No. 1 picks: Kelsey Plum (2017), A’ja Wilson (2018), and Jackie Young (2019). Despite Plum missing the 2020 season due to injury, the Aces still reached the WNBA Finals that year.
The core strengthened under then-general manager Dan Padover and coach Bill Laimbeer with the addition of Chelsea Gray in 2021, a key free-agent signing. With the arrival of Hammon and new front office staff in 2022, a modernized offense propelled Las Vegas to back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023.
However, following the last season, Plum’s departure via a multiteam trade to the Los Angeles Sparks has left a noticeable gap in the team’s capabilities. The Aces have struggled without her presence.
This downturn seems to be a natural evolution; while Wilson remains a top-tier player, the team has historically relied heavily on her for scoring. The arrival of Candace Parker in 2023 was expected to help, but her midseason injury and subsequent retirement have complicated matters.
After the firing of general manager Natalie Williams in October, the Aces are at a crossroads, needing either to enhance their roster to remain competitive or brace for a few challenging years that could lead to better draft positions in the future.
Overall, Las Vegas has effectively capitalized on the championship window largely created by Wilson, but they may now be heading for tougher times without immediate solutions in sight. — Michael Voepel
Exceeding Expectations: The Aces’ Struggles
Entering the season, expectations for the Aces were high, with a 29.5 win total projected, the fourth highest at ESPN BET, trailing only the reigning champion New York Liberty.
Wilson’s injury has certainly played a role, but even prior to her exit from last week’s match against Los Angeles, her performance was below her usual standards—shooting 46% on 2-point shots, well below her near 55% average from the last three seasons.
Defensively, the decline has been even more remarkable. Despite Wilson’s impressive stats, opponents have capitalized effectively against Las Vegas, shooting 51% from 2-point range, which ranks as the third worst in the league.
Beyond Wilson, no other player on the roster has exceeded six blocks this season, indicating a glaring gap in defensive depth, further illustrated by opponents shooting 73% in the restricted area—last in the WNBA up from 64% a season ago. — Kevin Pelton
Depth Issues Revealed
This issue of depth isn’t new, but it’s proving more detrimental than before.
Last season, Tiffany Hayes entered the fold, earning Sixth Player of the Year honors, significant for mitigating the Aces’ struggles. This year, however, they sit near the bottom of the league for bench scoring.
During the playoffs in 2024, Las Vegas relied on a tight six-player rotation but aimed to improve its depth over the offseason. Unfortunately, the situation has deteriorated.
In an unexpected move, the team left rookie Kate Martin unprotected during the expansion draft, despite her perceived All-Star potential—only to see her selected by the Golden State Valkyries. Hayes also signed with Golden State, and Alysha Clark departed for Seattle, leaving the Aces without vital bench contributors from last season.
To address these shortcomings, the team brought in Tiffany Mitchell, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, and Dana Evans, along with drafting Aaliyah Nye. However, Parker-Tyus is on maternity leave, and the others have combined for only 13.1 points, with none achieving above a 35.7% shooting percentage. Their second unit averages 16.2 points, slightly better than last year, but their shooting percentage is the worst in the league. — Kendra Andrews
Is it Mental or Physical?
Reflecting on last season’s struggles, Hammon often attributed issues to mental discipline and habits, a sentiment she reiterated this season. After a tough loss to the Valkyries, she remarked that the team is “soft mentally” and grappling with “not only [having] a heart issue but also [a] head issue.”
This perspective highlights that the problems may stem from controllable factors: improving habits and effort. Nonetheless, the roster construction suggests that certain challenges may not have easy resolutions.
Despite these hurdles, there’s potential for the Aces to turn things around. Wilson’s return could prove pivotal, along with the anticipated comeback of Parker-Tyus. Loyd and the remaining guards still have untapped potential. Yet, as rival teams across the league have made significant moves this offseason, the Aces have struggled to keep pace, indicating that stronger intangibles may not suffice. — Alexa Philippou
Future Outlook for the Aces
Wilson’s anticipated return will certainly be beneficial. The only win the Aces have achieved in her absence was a narrow 88-84 victory over the Dallas Wings. In contrast, their most convincing win, when Wilson was active, was an impressive 102-82 triumph against Seattle on May 25.
After dominating the league in 2022 and 2023, other teams are now eager to seize the opportunity. Hammon was aware this shift could come.
This reality helps to alleviate some pressure; instead of leading the pack, Hammon now faces the challenge of finding motivation and crafting new strategies for her team.
Known for her tenacity and cleverness as a player, Hammon’s grit will undoubtedly influence her current squad.
The Aces require Loyd to return to her peak performance level, and as they gain experience together, improvement should follow. The team also needs increased contributions from the bench. Additionally, the fan base must remain engaged to uplift the atmosphere in Las Vegas, especially during challenging times.
There remains ample opportunity for the Aces to address their issues, and they still hold playoff potential. — Voepel