The Las Vegas Aces experienced a tough defeat against the Dallas Wings on Wednesday, intensifying concerns about the team’s recent performance. In the post-game press conference, Aces coach Becky Hammon addressed these issues, emphasizing that rebounding and defense have been persistent struggles, particularly evident in the game against Dallas. Hammon noted that despite thorough preparation, including game plans and film review, the players are still struggling to execute defensively. She expressed frustration, indicating that she is uncertain about how to motivate her players to improve. Hammon’s comments reflected her growing concern: “At some point, people have to take accountability. You have to be up in pick and roll, you have to block out your man, you have to go help out your bigs when they have those big bodies in their crashing every time. Like when you know exactly what the other team needs to do and you can’t handle it, that’s concerning… I can’t make them do it. They have to do it, what am I going to do?”
This loss, a close 93-90 defeat, highlighted the Aces’ defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they were outscored 32-21 by Dallas. This defeat marked the Aces’ third loss in their last four games, dropping them to an 18-12 record for the season. Despite their impressive history as back-to-back WNBA champions, the Aces have struggled to meet expectations this season. The losses to the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx were somewhat understandable, but the overall performance has been underwhelming for a team of their caliber.
Hammon’s frustration is not unwarranted, as the Aces have consistently allowed opponents to score heavily, conceding 87 or more points in three of their last four games. This defensive weakness is a significant concern as the Aces look to secure their position in the playoffs.
Despite these challenges, the Aces are not lacking in talent. A’ja Wilson, a leading MVP candidate, has been a standout performer, and other stars like Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and Chelsea Gray contribute significantly to the team. In the loss to Dallas, Wilson delivered an outstanding performance with 42 points, six rebounds, and two assists, shooting an impressive 72.7% from the field. However, even with such stellar individual performances, the team’s overall struggles persist.
With 10 games remaining in the regular season, the Aces have little time to address their issues and regain their winning form. The pressure is on for Hammon and her team to find solutions and turn their season around before it’s too late.
