The Las Vegas Aces have experienced a significant turnaround in their performance, fueled by improved team chemistry, according to Chelsea Gray. After a tough loss at home to the Minnesota Lynx, the Aces began to gel as a new-look group, resulting in a five-game winning streak. This surge has helped the team strengthen their record amid the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/wnba/”>WNBA season‘s competitive landscape.
Chelsea Gray explained the key to their progress:
“I think we always had a trust factor. It is like putting the energy and the concentration and consistency behind it, and that’s what you’re seeing. And so we have gotten used to each others habits. What they like to do on the pick and roll offensively and defensively, so we know how to kind of play with that and each other. It’s a different group and a different look, and that’s what I really like; we bought in and stayed consistent in that way.”
—Chelsea Gray
Adjusting to New Team Dynamics After Last Season
Following a successful 27-13 season last year that ended with a second-place finish in the Western Conference, the Aces entered this season with several new players. This changed roster required time to settle, with the early part of the season showing uneven results. A heavy home loss at the hands of the Lynx, the best team in the league at 27-5, served as a critical catalyst in speeding up the team’s adaptation and camaraderie.
This defeat was a turning point just before the Aces began their current winning run, improving their overall record to 19-14. The better cohesion on-court has been clear as players grew more familiar with each other’s habits and tendencies, contributing to their stronger performances.
Key Veteran Contributions Leading the Winning Streak
Two veterans, 2024 MVP A’ja Wilson and guard Jackie Young, have been instrumental in driving the Aces’ success during this five-game stretch. Wilson has delivered dominant performances, averaging 23.8 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game throughout the span. Her standout game came against the Connecticut Sun, where she posted 32 points, 20 rebounds, and five assists.
Jackie Young has been equally vital, averaging 19.2 points with a 50.58 field goal percentage and 5.6 assists over the same period. Her top performance was against the Seattle Storm, recording 26 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The reliable output from these key players, combined with improved roles for newer team members, has made the Aces a formidable opponent on any night.
Challenges Ahead for the Aces
With momentum on their side, the Aces face two important upcoming games that will test their resilience and chemistry: matchups against the Phoenix Mercury, currently 19-12, and the Atlanta Dream, holding a 21-11 record. These contests will provide a clearer indication of how fully the team has integrated and how sustainable their recent success is.
Chelsea Gray’s insights into the team’s trust and consistency reveal the foundation that the Aces are building on, highlighting their potential to contend strongly in the remainder of the WNBA season.