A'ja Wilson's 42-Point Performance Not Enough as Aces Struggle Against Dallas

WNBA Updates

Aug 28

When you're watching the defending WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces, you expect a certain level of dominance. But in their recent matchup against the Dallas Wings, something was clearly amiss. Despite A'ja Wilson's incredible 42-point performance, the Aces fell short, losing 93-90 to a team that, while bolstered by the return of Natasha Howard and Satou Sabally, still ranks 11th out of 12 in the standings.

This loss raises significant concerns about the Aces' depth and the productivity of their bench. On a team filled with Olympians and seasoned veterans, it’s troubling to see Wilson shouldering so much of the load without sufficient support. The Aces should have the depth to allow their stars some rest, especially after a grueling stint in Paris for the Olympics. Instead, Wilson had to play nearly the entire game, putting up historic numbers, only to see the team falter due to a lack of contribution from the bench.

Fans and analysts alike are raising several red flags. Some point to the lack of productivity from the bench, while others highlight the team's defensive issues. Despite having Wilson and other capable players, the Aces struggled to contain Dallas, particularly in the paint, where they were outplayed by the Wings’ bigs. There’s also growing concern that the Aces’ defense, once a cornerstone of their game, isn’t as formidable as it needs to be.

Speculation around the Dearica Hamby and Becky Hammon lawsuit, along with the general morale of the team, has also raised concerns. Hamby, now with the Los Angeles Sparks, has accused the Aces and Hammon of discrimination and retaliation due to her pregnancy, adding another layer of controversy around the team. It’s becoming evident that the bench isn't stepping up when needed. Players like Sydney Colson, who sat the entire 40 minutes on the bench, aren’t contributing as expected. Kate Martin, despite her popular jersey sales, has also not been relied upon in critical moments, raising questions when compared to other rookies like Alyssa Pili of the Minnesota Lynx, who recently dropped 20 points off the bench.

It's understandable that Dallas, now healthier with Howard and Sabally back in the lineup, poses a formidable challenge. However, for a team of the Aces' caliber, losing a game like this—especially after such a monumental effort from Wilson—highlights deeper issues that need addressing. The defending champions shouldn’t have to overextend their stars to compete effectively, and the risk of injury to key players like Wilson becomes a growing concern.

The Aces must address these bench issues quickly, as relying so heavily on Wilson could lead to fatigue or injury, jeopardizing their chances for another championship run. Every player with a jersey needs to be ready to contribute, especially when the team is in dire need.

In the end, it's clear that this "super team" has some serious adjustments to make if they want to live up to their potential and avoid more disappointing losses like this one.