The Las Vegas Aces, coming off a strong previous season as the second seed in the Western Conference, have stumbled into a challenging start in 2025, holding a 2-2 record. Star player and reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson delivered a straightforward and critical evaluation of her team‘s underwhelming performance in the early games of the campaign.
Wilson openly addressed the team‘s struggles following their initial defeats, emphasizing the need for improvement as the Aces find themselves near the bottom half of the Western Conference standings.
A’ja Wilson’s Candid Take on the Team’s Early Struggles
During a recent media session at the Aces’ practice facility, Wilson did not mince words when asked about the team‘s disappointing losses. She described the team’s play in the first two games as unacceptably poor.
“Honestly, we just gotta be better,” she told reporters at the Aces’ practice facility. “We looked bad, and that wasn’t us…that’s pretty much all I’ve seen in the past two games. We just played like s**t.”
The season began with a discouraging loss to the defending champions, the New York Liberty, at Barclays Center. After the Liberty players received their championship rings, they outperformed the Aces by limiting their shooting to just 34.1% from the field, securing a 92-78 victory.
Following that, the Aces bounced back with a convincing 87-62 win over the Connecticut Sun. However, the team faced another test against the Washington Mystics, trailing by nine points after three quarters. The Aces managed a gritty comeback in the final period to seal a 75-72 win despite shooting a dismal 24.2% from three-point range and losing the rebound battle 36-32.
The most significant setback came this past Sunday, when the Seattle Storm defeated Las Vegas 102-82. The Aces again struggled on the boards, getting outrebounded 34-25, while Seattle shot an impressive 50.0% from beyond the arc compared to the Aces’ 36.0% accuracy.
Wilson, known for her sharp basketball IQ, identified clear areas where the team must make adjustments to reverse their fortunes. The Aces face a critical opportunity to secure a third victory when they take on the LA Sparks this Friday.
Wilson Looks Ahead to Facing Former Teammate Kelsey Plum
Switching gears, Wilson expressed eagerness about an anticipated matchup against former Aces guard Kelsey Plum, who now plays for the LA Sparks. The meeting will take place at the Michelob ULTRA Arena later this week.
“I’m excited to have KP back in the house,” the three-time MVP replied. “I know we’re gonna show her a lot of love. She won us two championships here.”
Wilson’s remarks suggest the Aces organization will likely honor Plum with a tribute before the game, recognizing her contributions to the team’s recent successes. Despite the warm sentiments beforehand, once the game tips off, both Wilson and Plum will shift focus to competing fiercely for victory and a win in the standings.
The Aces’ start to the 2025 season underscores that even top teams can encounter hurdles early on, highlighting the importance of swift improvements. How effectively Wilson and her teammates respond to these challenges will determine the team’s trajectory moving forward in a competitive Western Conference.