That was the final score of ACES DE LAS VEGAS‘Loss for him Minnesota Lynx On August 2, a defeat in the burst that passed his record to 14-14 and showed extended doubts about the ability of the Aces.
The twice WNBA champions seemed unrecognizable. Kelsey PlumThat departed for him Los Angeles Sparks In the low season, it seemed to miss severely. And his replacement, Olympic companion Jewell LoydHe could not find his touch.
But since that dramatic loss, Las Vegas has found a rhythm. They have shaken nine Direct victories and owners of the third best league record in 23-14. The same team that was below .500 only one month ago is only half a game of the second seed.
The most rigorous schedule has bone, but the winning section includes victories against the reigning champions (the New York freedom), Second place Atlanta’s dreamAnd the fifth place Phoenix Mercury (Twice).
Duration this section, A’JA Wilson It is averaging 26 points, 13.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Suddenly, the MVP is three times back in the MVP conversation and takes your team to La Victoria.
Together with Wilson, Loyd has found his rhythm: outside the bank, he is averaging 13.1 points at 60.8 Ts%. And four times all-star Jackie YoungWho was the year in depression, is 16.6 points, 5 rebounds and 4.9 assists of the victory streak.
Veteran shipowner Chelsea GrayWho also has problems earlier, presenting 10.9 points and 7 duration assists in this section.
“Believe [Gray] She looks like herself “, chief coach Becky Hammon He told reporters after Tuesday’s victory against sleep. “He looked different at the beginning of the season because it was a Chelsea Gray. aspect Like Chelsea Gray now. “
There are also NALSSA SmithWhich was acquired mid -season of the Dallas wings And he has played some of his best basketball in years in Las Vegas. Smith, a former number 2 selection, average 24.2 minutes per night and produces when on the court, with 8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 63.6 Ts% from the loss of Lynx.
Smith has been a considerably different player in Las Vegas than in Dallas; With the wings, he fired 42.1% from the field. With the Aces, its efficiency has shot 54.6% of shots. He is trying less shots, but scoring more points. Although in a small sample, it is shooting well from beyond the arch: 41.7%.
“When you are surrounded by great players, it raises you to want to be great,” Smith said after Thursday’s victory. “The costumes, the coaches, are always pressing you to be your best, day after day.”
Initially, it seemed that the former Baylor star could have been acquired to replace Kierstan Bell in the initial alignment, but with Loyd going to the bank, Smith and Bell have formed an effective tandem of the front track along Wilson.
Are the Aces once again in the mixture for a championship?
If the playoffs pray today, the Ases would face the Indiana feverWho lost this month Sophie CunninghamAari McDonald and Sydney Colson to seasonal injuries. Caitlin Clark It remains marginalized with an injury to the groin, its availability of still in doubt. The Aces would be the favorites in that series, despite the elite work of Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston this season.
A championship is still a path. The Lynx, which the ACES have not yet defeated this season, have been the most consistent team of the WNBA, maintaining the best league record in 28-7 despite leaving their last two games. The Aces will have another crack in the Lynx in September, but for now, it seems that beating them in a series of five games would be a uphill up. Freedom has been reduced late, but with full strength, defenders have a list as formidable as any other. The dream has united an elite season of its own.
But, with Wilson on the head, and three Olympic guards next to her, the Aces are firmly in the mixture for a WNBA title.
Anyway, that is what they have demonstrated the last 20 days. And that reality would have a hard leg to imagine after a beating of 53 points on August 2.
