That was the ultimate rating of the Las Vegas Aces’ loss to the Minnesota Lynx on August 2nd, a blowout defeat that worsened their file to 14-14 and solid widespread doubt concerning the Aces’ capacity to contend.
The 2-time WNBA champions appeared unrecognizable. Kelsey Plum, who departed for the Los Angeles Sparks within the offseason, seemed to be severely lacking. And her substitute, fellow Olympian Jewell Loyd, couldn’t discover her contact.
However since that dramatic loss, Las Vegas has discovered a groove. They’ve rattled off 9 straight victories and discover themselves house owners of the league’s third-best file at 23-14. The identical crew that was under .500 only a month in the past is now simply half a sport again of the second seed.
It hasn’t been probably the most rigorous schedule, however the successful stretch contains victories in opposition to the reigning champions (the New York Liberty), the second-place Atlanta Dream, and the fifth-place Phoenix Mercury (twice).
Throughout this span, A’ja Wilson is averaging 26 factors, 13.1 rebounds, and a pair of.7 assists. All of the sudden, the three-time MVP is again within the MVP dialog and carrying her crew to victory.
Alongside Wilson, Loyd has discovered her rhythm — off the bench, she’s averaging 13.1 factors on 60.8 TS%. And 4-time All-Star Jackie Younger, who started the 12 months in a droop, is averaging 16.6 factors, 5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists through the win streak.
Veteran level guard Chelsea Grey, who additionally struggled earlier within the 12 months, is placing up 10.9 factors and seven assists throughout this span.
“I believe [Gray] seems like herself,” head coach Becky Hammon instructed reporters after Tuesday’s win in opposition to the Dream. “She appeared totally different firstly of the season as a result of she wasn’t being Chelsea Grey. She seems like Chelsea Grey now.”
There’s additionally NaLyssa Smith, who was acquired midseason from the Dallas Wings and has performed a few of her greatest basketball in years in Las Vegas. Smith, a former No. 2 choose, is averaging 24.2 minutes per night time and producing when she’s on the court docket — tallying 8 factors and 6.3 rebounds on 63.6 TS% because the loss to the Lynx.
Smith has been a significantly totally different participant in Las Vegas than in Dallas; with the Wings, she shot 42.1% from the sector. With the Aces, her effectivity has skyrocketed to 54.6% taking pictures. She’s trying fewer pictures, however scoring extra factors. Albeit in a small pattern, she’s taking pictures nicely from past the arc — 41.7%.
“While you’re surrounded by nice gamers, it elevates you to wish to be nice,” Smith mentioned after Thursday’s Aces win. “The locker room, the coaches — they’re at all times pushing you to be your greatest self, day in and time out.”
Initially, it appeared the previous Baylor star could have been acquired to interchange Kierstan Bell within the beginning lineup, however with Loyd going to the bench, Smith and Bell have fashioned an efficient frontcourt tandem alongside Wilson.
Are the Aces as soon as once more within the combine for a championship?
If the playoffs started right now, the Aces would face the Indiana Fever, who this month misplaced Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, and Sydney Colson to season-ending accidents. Caitlin Clark stays sidelined with a groin damage, her postseason availability nonetheless in query. The Aces can be favorites in that collection, regardless of the elite play of Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston this season.
A championship continues to be a manner away. The Lynx, who the Aces have but to beat this season, have been the WNBA’s most constant crew, holding the league’s greatest file at 28-7 regardless of dropping their final two video games. The Aces will get one other crack on the Lynx in September, however for now, it nonetheless seems that beating them in a five-game collection can be an uphill climb. The Liberty have slipped of late, however at full power, the defending champs have as formidable a roster as any. The Dream have strung collectively an elite season of their very own.
However, with Wilson on the head — and three Olympic guards alongside her — the Aces are firmly within the combine for a WNBA title.
That’s what the final 20 days have demonstrated, anyway. And that actuality would have been laborious to think about after a 53-point beatdown on August 2nd.