The Las Vegas Aces, one of the WNBA’s premier franchises and the reigning champions after their triumph over the New York Liberty in the 2023 Finals, have faced an unexpectedly rocky start to this season.
In a highly anticipated rematch with the Liberty on Saturday, the game did not live up to expectations for the Aces as they were bested 90-82, a result that visibly affected star player A’Ja Wilson.
From the onset, the Eastern team took control, asserting their dominance and setting a tone that the Aces struggled to counter.
This performance divergence from their usual prowess left Wilson, the Aces’ standout forward, visibly emotional during the post-game press conference. Expressing deep affection for her teammates, the 27-year-old emphasized her broader aspirations beyond the court. “I love my teammates so much,” Wilson said, her voice tinged with emotion. “People say I’m the best player in the world. That’s great. But I want to be the best person. I want to be the best teammate, because that’s how I get the best out of my team.”
Wilson continued to reflect on her personal and team goals, highlighting the pressures that come with being a high-profile athlete. “I break this game down piece by piece because I want to be great for my team…great for this franchise,” she asserted. “It is hard as s–t, because there’s tons of people that want to break you down, great teams in this league that are gonna try to come after you every single night.” Wilson took personal accountability for the loss, underscoring her commitment to elevating her team’s performance.
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Despite Wilson’s commendable effort of 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists, just shy of a double-double, and Kelsey Plum contributing 22 points, the Aces could not withstand the offensive onslaught led by Jonquel Jones, who scored an impressive 34 points.
Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart also made significant contributions for the Liberty, with Ionescu delivering 15 points and 12 assists, and Stewart adding 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Wilson’s frustration was palpable not only in her post-game remarks but also during the game itself, particularly in her interactions with the game officials.
She was seen vehemently disputing calls with the referees, particularly upset over what she perceived as consistent errors regarding possession rulings.
This loss marked the Aces’ sixth in twelve games, a stark contrast to their performance at the end of last season.
With the regular season still unfolding, there remains ample opportunity for Wilson and the Aces to recalibrate and regain their form.
Looking ahead, the Aces are set to face the Storm in their next game on Wednesday, providing them with a chance to bounce back and move forward from this challenging period.
