The Las Vegas Aces have rotated a number of players in and out of the lineup in 2026, building around their core trio of A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray.
While the supporting cast has taken on different roles throughout the regular season, the goal has remained the same: winning a fourth WNBA championship in five years.
The Aces have dealt with injuries and depth concerns, whether it was forward Janiah Barker, who never had a chance to suit up, or Dana Evans, who has been in and out of the lineup, among other absences.
Each time, Las Vegas has relied on another player to step into the rotation and fill the void.
Aces coach Becky Hammon has preached a “next woman up” mentality, and throughout the franchise’s current eight-game winning streak, contributions from the supporting cast have been crucial.
“We need that bench production,” Hammon said. “Cheyenne (Parker-Tyus) comes in and helps us with the points and on the glass, Jewell (Loyd) impacts the game in a certain kind of way defensively even when she is not getting shots. We need those points coming in.
“I think Cheyenne, Jewell, Mai (Yamamoto), and we know Dana are capable of coming in and giving us eight to 10. It is going to have to be by committee.”
That committee has included the departure of former Aces guard Chennedy Carter and the midseason additions of Yamamoto and Kalani Brown, who have helped fill voids created by injuries such as NaLyssa Smith’s while adding to the team’s rotational depth.
Over the last eight games, including their Game 1 win over the Indiana Fever, the Aces’ bench has averaged 26.9 points per game while providing valuable minutes whenever Wilson, Gray or Young have had to come off the court.
“I think the trio understands their leadership role,” Hammon said. “They understand the standard, they understand the expectation, they understand and like the pressure, and that might be the most important part.
“Their No. 1 job is to make everybody else better around them. While doing that they become the best version of themselves and we have been preaching that for five years. I think that they fully grasp and understand that.”
That “by committee” approach was evident in Game 1, with the Aces getting key contributions from players who will be asked to play important roles again Tuesday in Indianapolis.
While the Aces’ bench was outscored by the Fever’s reserves, Las Vegas still got enough production from its second unit to give its starters valuable rest without sacrificing its offensive efficiency. That could become even more important Tuesday as the Aces try to close out the series on the road.
That was particularly important for Wilson, who had another record-breaking performance. During the four-time MVP’s 38-point, 16-rebound and four-block performance, she became the only player in WNBA history to score at least 35 points and grab at least 15 rebounds while shooting better than 75 percent from the field.
Las Vegas will have an opportunity to advance to the semifinals against either the Golden State Valkyries or Dallas Wings with a win over the Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
A third and final game, if necessary, will be played Thursday at Michelob Ultra Arena, with the time to be announced.
