The Las Vegas Aces suffered another loss, now totaling nine defeats this season-an alarming statistic for a team that won back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023. This downturn is far from acceptable for head coach Becky Hammon and the team’s devoted fanbase. With this latest result, the Aces fall below .500 for the season. And while A’ja Wilson continues to put up MVP-caliber numbers, the team clearly has major issues to address if they want to turn things around.
Hammon was visibly frustrated, disappointed, and angry following the loss to Indiana.
That’s a complete lack of professionalism to come in here with that effort…They played harder yesterday in practice, by a lot, wasn’t even close. So I don’t know how you step onto the floor with 20K people in the stands and perform like that.
The roster includes many veterans, few young players, and recent draft picks with limited upside, both for now and for the future. With such a roster, expectations are high-and currently, the Aces are falling well short.
Their primary goal remains the postseason, but a negative record like this clashes with the image of a championship-caliber team. Urgent adjustments are needed if they hope to return to form and start winning again.
Frustrated with A’ja Wilson, but also with Indiana Fever
Following the loss to the Fever, Hammon directed part of her frustration at her star player, A’ja Wilson, criticizing her performance. However, Wilson wasn’t the only target-Hammon also took aim at the opposing team.
I thought they were grabbing and holding us. And you know, it’s a rugby match. It’s a rugby match and my team doesn’t want to play rugby back-so we get our ass kicked. Period.
The statistics backed Indiana’s superiority. Fever collected 37 rebounds to the Aces’ 26 and made nearly 50% of their field goal attempts, while Las Vegas converted just 26%. At times, the game looked like professionals playing against a school team. Hammon didn’t mince words.
There has to be some fight back if they’re going to allow that kind of physicality. My team has to step up and match that physicality, period.
A’ja Wilson, a beacon of hope in the darkness
As has become routine, A’ja Wilson was the lone bright spot, delivering another standout performance against Indiana. She scored 29 points, shooting 9 for 18 from the field. The problem? Her teammates combined for just 7 of 43-shockingly low for a team hoping to contend.
Despite the tough times, Hammon remains hopeful.
The beautiful thing about our league is we have another day, another game to try to do better. Some nights we show greatness, sometimes we show crap. That ain’t what championship teams are. So we’ve got to get back on track. We have to really lean on each other now more than ever. I’m not going to let any of my teammates hold their heads down, because they’re way too good.
Hammon’s public criticism reflects her frustration and her desire to spark a response from her players. Time will tell if she has a plan to pull the Aces out of this slump.
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