WNBA: The Las Vegas Aces found the issue of three-peating

This season was all issues surprising for the Las Vegas Aces.

A group that has established a tradition of constant successful and excellence didn’t seem to be themselves from the season’s begin. Early season accidents, off-court controversies and a magnified lens on the backs of the back-to-back champs created a season of dodging curves and strolling throughout eggshells, and because of this, the tank didn’t have sufficient fuel to go for three-straight rings.

Tough begin, robust end

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The Aces got here into this season with two-straight WNBA championships, momentum to make historical past and a chip on their shoulder. What they didn’t have of their arsenal was their emotional chief: Chelsea Grey.

Grey missed the primary 12 video games of the season, which not solely left the Aces with out their compass but in addition with out an enormous bolt of management and vitality. Her absence proved how invaluable she is because the group began off with a 6-6 report, wanting like a shell of themselves just a few months after they hoisted their second-straight championship trophy.

The Aces additionally needed to cope with off-court controversy, going through scrutiny and a league investigation for every participant receiving a $100,00 bonus from the Las Vegas Conference and Guests Authority at first of the season. That state of affairs, coupled with the stress and expectations of creating historical past and defying odds, did a quantity on an exhausted Aces group that also made it inside two video games of one more WNBA Finals.

A’historic season

Photograph by Barry Gossage/NBAE by way of Getty Photos

Regardless of coming in need of a third-straight chip, A’ja Wilson had the very best season in WNBA historical past. And the craziest half is that she would’ve traded her particular person success for group success as a result of that’s simply the chief she is.

Wilson gained one other M’VP, an Olympic Gold Medal, grew to become the primary participant in WNBA historical past to attain 1,000 factors in a single season and averaged 26.9 factors, 11.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals and a pair of.6 blocks per recreation, which had been all profession highs. She additionally introduced that her debut A’One signature shoe was on the best way as nicely. Something that A’ja may’ve performed this season in addition to successful a hoop, she did.

What’s subsequent for the Aces?

Photograph by Ethan Miller/Getty Photos

Time to reset and recharge. The Aces, for the primary time in years, will get a head begin on their offseason break. With the stress of successful a championship having handed, in addition they will expertise some psychological and bodily ease.

The Aces could have the chance to hit the recent begin button this offseason. They’ll have the chance to enter subsequent season totally wholesome with recent legs and a transparent thoughts, and with much less burdensome expectations driving on their backs. I believe, unusually, it’s precisely what the Aces wanted and can assist them in the long term. Too early to say 2025 WNBA Finals champions?