The Las Vegas Aces have been on the struggle bus since returning from the Olympic and All-Star break. Even as A’ja Wilson plays some of her best basketball.
The game previous to this one, we saw the Aces go down to the wire against the Chicago Sky. Las Vegas got bailed out of a bad second half performance with A’ja Wilson hitting a buzzer beater shot to win the game.
However the second half blues continued in the next game against the Dallas Wings. In the fourth quarter alone the Wings beat the Aces 32-21, ultimately giving them the 3 point win, 93-90.
A’ja Wilson Wants to Win
A’ja Wilson was on fire all night, scoring 42 points, her new season high. However I am sure she would trade that for a win.
Wilson’s body language is one of a player who is exhausted, not physically, yet mentally. She looks at her teammates with a mug, wondering who is going to step up and help her win another championship.
I believe the Aces have three problems right now, all of which were on display against the Wings.
Players resting of success of the past. As the clock hit 1 minute left in the game against the wings, we watched as Dallas took a one point lead. The camera pans to the Aces bench showing a team full of faces smiling.
Becky Hammond as great of a coach as she is, needs to put effort into taking pressure off of A’ja Wilson. It is easy to say give her the ball every play. Hammond needs to draw up more plays for Young, Plum, and Hayes. The depth of this team is paper thin, you need to get the most out of every player.
Chelsea Gray needs to shoot less and pass more, players around need to be more aggressive for that to happen. Which brings me to my last point.
Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum need to act like they are the best player on this team at times. In the final play of last night’s game, down three with seconds left we watched A’ja Wilson shoot a contested pull up three pointer trying to tie the game.
Jackie Young or Kelsey Plum who might be two of the top 5 shooters in the league needs to say both verbally and with their actions, “I want the shot!”.
Rowan Donaghey, Sports Reporter and Betting Analyst for Stare Down Sports. You can follow him on the X via @RowanDonaghey
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