On Friday night, the WNBA spotlight turns to Las Vegas where the Las Vegas Aces host the Dallas Wings at Michelob ULTRA Arena. The game, scheduled for 10 p.m. ET and broadcast on ION, marks the first official meeting between these two teams in the 2025 season. Fans can also catch the action via streaming services including FuboTV, Sling Freestream, DIRECTV, and Amazon Prime with a WNBA League Pass, offering multiple options for viewers eager to watch the high-stakes contest.
The Las Vegas Aces enter this matchup with a 4-4 record, sitting fourth in the Western Conference, but they’ve hit a rough patch lately. The Aces have dropped two consecutive games, most recently a 97-89 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. Despite a spirited comeback attempt from a 20-point deficit, the Aces came up short, even with standout performances from Chelsea Gray, who scored a season-high 28 points, and Jackie Young, who matched her career-best with 34 points. However, the biggest blow for Las Vegas was losing reigning WNBA MVP and leading scorer A’ja Wilson to a head injury during the third quarter of that game. Wilson, who had been efficient at the free-throw line and contributed across the board with 13 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, has since been ruled out of Friday’s game due to concussion protocol, a significant absence for the Aces.
The Wings, on the other hand, are struggling mightily with a 1-10 record, currently last in the Western Conference. They are on a six-game losing streak, their worst start since 2012, and their only win this season came in a 109-87 victory over the Connecticut Sun on May 27. Despite the team’s struggles, there’s a bright spot in rookie Paige Bueckers, who returned to the court this week after clearing concussion protocol. In her comeback game against the Phoenix Mercury on June 11, Bueckers dazzled, scoring a career-high 35 points, including 22 in the first quarter alone. Her performance made her the fourth Wings rookie to score 30-plus points in a single game and placed her alongside Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark as one of only two rookies in WNBA history to record a game with 35 points and five made three-pointers. Bueckers also became the third player in league history to hit a 35-point game within her first 10 games, joining elite company like A’ja Wilson and former Chicago Sky star Chennedy Carter.
While Bueckers’ individual brilliance offers hope, the Wings still face significant challenges, especially offensively. Against the Mercury, the Wings shot just 5-of-19 from beyond the arc and the rest of the team managed a 33% field goal percentage, underscoring the need for more consistent scoring support around their star rookie.
For the Aces, the absence of Wilson puts more pressure on players like Gray and Young to carry the offensive load. Head coach Becky Hammon has yet to discuss Wilson’s status in detail with medical staff but has acknowledged the impact of losing their MVP. The Aces will also be looking to snap their two-game losing streak and regain the form that made them championship contenders in previous seasons.
This game also unfolds against the backdrop of the Commissioner’s Cup, a mid-season tournament running alongside regular season play. The Aces hold a 1-2 record in the tournament, while the Wings have yet to find success, standing at 0-4. The stakes are high as both teams seek to improve their standings not only in the regular season but also in this in-season competition.
Looking ahead, the Wings have a busy schedule following Friday’s game, including home and away matches against the Golden State Valkyries, Connecticut Sun, and Washington Mystics. Meanwhile, the Aces will continue their home stand with games against the Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm, as well as an away game at Minnesota Lynx, making every game count as playoff positioning becomes increasingly critical.
Meanwhile, in Indiana, the Fever are preparing for a big Saturday showdown against the undefeated New York Liberty. Indiana’s star Caitlin Clark is expected to return to the lineup after missing five games with a quadriceps injury. Clark, who had been averaging 19 points, 9.3 assists, six rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game before her injury, is eager to get back on the court. “I’m really excited,” Clark said. “I think it’s definitely been a process. I think the hardest part is when you like begin to feel really good and then it’s just a process of working yourself back into actually getting up and down and getting out there with my teammates.”
Clark’s return is a significant boost for the Fever, who went 2-3 without her and currently hold a 4-5 record. The team also expects guard Sophie Cunningham back from an ankle injury for the Liberty game, adding further depth to their lineup. Coach Stephanie White highlighted the importance of reintegrating these key players: “Some of the things that we run will look different than without Caitlin on the floor, certainly. Sophie’s versatility and being able to play in multiple positions … it is like starting Day 1 again.”
As the WNBA season progresses, the league continues to captivate basketball fans with thrilling performances and intense competition. The Aces and Wings game tonight promises to be a fascinating clash of contrasting fortunes — a battle between a struggling Wings squad led by a sensational rookie and an Aces team fighting to overcome injuries and regain momentum. With Wilson sidelined and Bueckers back in action, the dynamics of this matchup could shift dramatically, making it a must-watch for WNBA enthusiasts.
Whether the Aces can rally without their MVP or the Wings can leverage Bueckers’ scoring prowess to spark an upset remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Friday night’s game at Michelob ULTRA Arena will deliver high-energy basketball and compelling storylines as both teams seek to carve out their place in the 2025 WNBA season.
