The Las Vegas Aces faced the Seattle Storm on Friday, June 20, 2025, at Michelob Ultra Arena, marking the much-anticipated return of their star center and reigning WNBA MVP, A'ja Wilson. After missing three games due to a concussion sustained on June 11 against the Los Angeles Sparks, Wilson was back in the starting lineup, eager to lead her team out of a recent slump.
Wilson's injury had come during a physical encounter with Sparks' Dearica Hamby, who drove to the basket and inadvertently struck Wilson in the face. The impact forced Wilson to exit the game late in the third quarter, bleeding from her nose, and subsequently enter the league's concussion protocol. Her absence was felt deeply by the Aces, who went 1-2 in the three games she missed, struggling offensively and dropping key matches to the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx.
Despite the team's 5-6 record entering the game, Wilson's return brought hope and a much-needed boost. She wasted no time making her presence felt, opening the scoring with a signature turnaround jumper in the paint. By halftime, Wilson had already tallied 15 points and eight rebounds, helping the Aces take a 45-38 lead into the third quarter. Her performance was a clear reminder of her value, as she was averaging 20.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game before her injury.
However, the third quarter proved challenging. The Aces were outscored 29-21, and Wilson, visibly rusty according to head coach Becky Hammon, committed seven turnovers and struggled from the free-throw line, making just eight of thirteen attempts. The turnovers were a team issue as well, with the Aces committing 14 in total, though this was an improvement over recent games. The Storm capitalized on these mistakes, with Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins scoring 25 and 24 points respectively, leading Seattle to a 90-83 victory.
Jackie Young stepped up for the Aces, leading the team with 22 points, while rookie Aaliyah Nye impressed off the bench, matching her season high with 13 points. Hammon, frustrated by the third-quarter defensive lapses, hinted at potential lineup changes, suggesting she might start a different five in the third quarter to address the recurring issue. "Maybe I’ll just start a different five in the third quarter. We’ll see. Anything’s on the table at this point, because it’s gross," Hammon said. She praised Nye's consistent effort, contrasting it with the inconsistency elsewhere on the roster.
Wilson was candid about the team's struggles, emphasizing the need for sustained effort and focus. "It’s just on each and every last one of us, from top to bottom — especially myself — to make sure that we’re geared up and ready to play 40 minutes," she said. "I don’t know what that’s going to take. I think it’s going to take for us to continue to get our ass beat for us to wake up and it’s gonna click. And when it does, that’s when you’re gonna see Aces basketball." She also acknowledged the team's pattern of strong first halves followed by disappointing third quarters, vowing to get to the bottom of the issue. "Because we play really good first halves, but the third quarter is unacceptable on our end," Wilson stated.
Wilson also reflected on the changes in the team's roster, dismissing them as an excuse at this point. "We’ve already exhausted it. That was game two, to me," she said. "Now it’s just making the right basketball decisions and understanding (that) how teams are guarding us is different. So that excuse went out the window." Hammon had earlier noted the significant turnover in the Aces' bench, with key players like Kelsey Plum, Alysha Clark, Tiffany Hayes, and Sydney Colson departing during the offseason. She stressed that basketball rewards teams that play together and work hard consistently.
Friday's game also featured a poignant moment for former Aces player Alysha Clark, the 2020 Sixth Player of the Year, who returned to Las Vegas as a member of the Storm. Clark was honored with a tribute video before tipoff and was visibly emotional during the game, though she was limited to just two points on the night.
Looking ahead, the Aces are set to host Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever at noon on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena. This matchup represents another critical opportunity for the Aces to regain momentum and climb the standings.
Coach Becky Hammon remains focused on fixing the team's internal issues. "We have been such a hot mess ourselves," she admitted. "I am trying to fix us right now. We have to worry about how we make ourselves better. Nine times out of 10 it has nothing to do with the opponent." She emphasized the importance of repetition and consistent messaging to build a cohesive and locked-in team. "When we are organized and we are locked in, we are a much more capable team," Hammon said.
Despite the loss, Wilson's return signals a step forward for the Aces, who are determined to overcome their recent struggles. The challenge remains to translate early-game energy into full-game execution and to build the trust and hustle that Hammon insists are essential. As Wilson put it, "I feel good, like myself. I just gotta honestly start to put the ball in the hoop and stop giving it away to the other team." With the season still unfolding, the Aces know their best basketball lies ahead if they can harness their potential and maintain focus for the full 40 minutes.
