The 2025 Las Vegas Aces really messed up our ability to attempt to objectively evaluate them.
During the first half of last season, we declared them done and dusted on multiple occasions. The dynasty was dead, buried by the Minnesota Lynx in an epic blowout on the homecourt of the former, fading champions.
Such declarations, of course, proved foolish.
The historic defeat to the Lynx instead revived the Aces, inaugurating an improbable in-season turnaround. They finished the regular season on a 16-game
flourish, fueled by M’VP-level play from A’ja Wilson that continued until they claimed the 2025 WNBA title in a Finals sweep.
So, after Vegas followed up their opening day dud against the Phoenix Mercury with four-straight wins, it was easy to believe that the “new” Aces—the team that dominated the second half of the 2025 season on the way to a third title—were here.
Sine then, the Aces have stumbled into two-straight losses, lit up by the Los Angeles Sparks and Dallas Wings.
Are these, in fact, the “old” Aces?
And on second thought, was their four-game win streak, which featured a big win over the Sparks, one dominant win over the Connecticut Sun, another too-close-for-comfort victory against the Sun and a near fall-from-ahead loss to the depleted Atlanta Dream, all that impressive? Yes, an A’ja masterclass is always fun, but should she need to drop 45 points to defeat the Sun?
Are the same issues that plagued them team during their uninspiring start to the 2025 season back? During their surge to the title, did the team merely mask underlying, intractable ills through a combination of inspiration, adrenaline and unity that they cannot maintain for a full 44 games?
One game, certainly, will not provide a definitive answer as to whether the 2026 Aces are the team from the first half of 2025 or the second half of 2025.
A statement win against the Golden State Valkyries, in front of a national TV audience on NBC at 3:30 p.m. ET, would restore a strong belief in the Aces’ dynastic integrity.
Yes, they’re the champs. But no, they’re not always going to play great.
The team, again, will mostly fall apart when A’ja Wilson is not on the court. Chelsea Gray will have stretches where her age, ambition or the combination of the two will make her look like less than the Point Gawd. Jackie Young will not assert herself. NaLyssa Smith’s all-out effort on the glass will go missing. Jewell Loyd’s 3-ball will come up empty. Chennedy Carter’s explosive moments will be balanced by inattentive ones. The frontcout beyond Wilson will remain untrustworthy. There will be (repeated) defensive breakdowns. Becky Hammon’s rotations will be questionable. (And yes, the whistle will not always blow.)
But then, A’ja is the M’VP. Chelsea is the Point Gawd. Jackie is a two-way beast. Jewell is (still) the Gold Mamba. NaLyssa has found her WNBA home. Chennedy oozes unteachable talent. Becky knows what she’s doing. (And what’s she talking about.)
When it all comes together, the dynasty appears inevitable.
Which Aces will we see on Sunday afternoon in San Francisco? Their worst habits? Their best selves?
The Valkyries, coached by former Aces assistant Natalie Nakase, are poised to provide Vegas with a revealing challenge.
Currently in second place in the standings, Golden State also owns the second-best scoring differential and second-best net rating, founded on the second-ranked defense in the W. At the moment, they, not the Aces, are putting together a true contender profile.
What do you expect to happen on Sunday?
Will the Aces, motivated and irritated, rise to the occasion once again? Or will the Valkyries prove their mettle while further puncturing that of the defending champs? Take to the comments to give your predictions.
