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Aces Ready to Get Back to Champ Form

Becky Hammon and the several of the core players of the Las Vegas Aces were not happy how last season ended. It came to a crashing halt by losing to the eventual champions, New York Liberty on their home floor in Game 4 of the WNBA Semifinals.

Hammon said after that game that the roster will look much different next year and that promise has been fulfilled. Out are Kelsey Plum, Alysha Clark, Tiffany Hayes and Kate Martin. Three of those players were main stays and key contributors.

Plum spent her entire eight-year career with the organization which started in San Antonio prior to the team relocating to Vegas. She was a three-time All-Star and was in the middle of the chain of Aces players who won five, Sixth Player of the Year awards in a six-season span. The others were Dearica Hamby, who won it twice, and who she now joins in Los Angeles as members of the Sparks. Clark and Hayes each won the award the past two seasons. All are now on different teams.

"KP wanted to spread her wings and get out of Vegas," Hammon said. "We will miss her, but she is in a good place." Hammond acknowledged that getting Jewell Loyd from Seattle will be a great replacement for Plum and brings so much versatility and a wealth of experience to the team.

Loyd is a six-time All-Star while winning two championships with the Storm and led the WNBA in scoring in 2023. She comes with immediate chemistry as she is an Olympic teammate with A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young. She is the perfect fit for the Aces with her scoring, defending and leadership.

The Aces also added 6'4" Cheyene Parker-Tyus who is a former All-Star with Atlanta. The opportunity for her to spell Wilson and also pair with her gives the Aces some added depth along with scoring and rebounding.

Point Guard, Dana Evans comes over from Chicago and is another ideal fit. She will back up Chelsea Gray and gives the Aces some downhill scoring off the bench. Evans was on the Sky's championship team with Candace Parker back in 2021.

Las Vegas also acquired combo guard Tiffany Mitchell who has averaged close to double digits in her nine-year career. She spent the first seven with Indiana and then moving to Minnesota in 2023 and Connecticut last season.

The Aces starting lineup will consist of Wilson, Gray, Loyd, Young and Kiah Stokes with Mitchell, Evans and 6'6" rookie Liz Kitley expected to contribute off the bench. Both Megan Gustafson and Parker-Tyus are currently out. Gustafson suffered an ankle injury during Training Camp while Parker-Tyus is pregnant and is expected to miss the first three months of the season.

After going 2-0 in the preseason with victories over Dallas 112-78 and Phoenix 85-84, the Aces now prepare for the season opener at New York on Saturday, May 17th. Of course, the league and their television partner, ABC wanted the two marquee teams to tip-off the season as the WNBA is at its zenith in terms of ratings and popularity.

There is plenty of excitement and high expectations for the two-time champs who look to get back to their championship form led by the best starting five in the WNBA led by their Hall of Fame Head Coach. The Aces home sellout streak over two plus years continues with high demand to see this team. Barring any health issues this team will be one once again one of favorite to win it all.