Who could bust the Las Vegas Aces? The early stages of this WNBA season have revealed some early contenders.
Recent WNBA endeavors suggest that the house always wins.
Winners of three of the last four WNBA titles, the Las Vegas Aces are inching closer toward a royal flush on the hardwood: despite a shaky start in a WNBA Finals rematch with the Phoenix Mercury, A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces (4-2) have recovered well enough to take up their usual residence in the upper levels of the leaderboard heading into an anticipated Thursday night duel with the Dallas Wings (5 p.m. PT, Prime Video).
But even with Las Vegas flexing its early muscle, several teams have made their case to bust the Aces as the Association’s 30th season reaches its third week landmark.
Golden State Valkyries
There have been few, if any, signs of a sophomore slump for the Valkyries, who have ridden back into Ballhalla on a mission of vengeance.
Already known for their tenacious defense, the Valkyries got even peskier by signing Gabby Williams, who has balanced hounding efforts with a scorching 44.1 percent success rate from three-point range. Williams gives the Valkyries an ability to win ugly, an essential ingredient in any upset bid.
Golden State (4-2) raised a few eyebrows when it eschewed a chance to welcome Flau’jae Johnson on draft night, but their faith in the current troop has been well-rewarded in the form of Veronica Burton and Janelle Salaün building upon their respective Most Improved Player and All-Rookie Team campaign. Familiarity could also breed Sin City contempt: the Valkyries are led by former Becky Hammon disciple Natalie Nakase, and they’ve done recurring postseason battles with seasoned x-factor Kayla Thornton.
Golden State put up a formidable challenge to top-ranked Minnesota in its maiden postseason voyage last fall before bowing out. The first act of the sequel suggests they might be well-armed to deal with new playoff exploits like a Sin City incursion.
Next Vegas Meeting: May 31
Veronica Burton tonight
• 16 points
• 6 assists
• 2 steals pic.twitter.com/3XKMLu5FNS— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 9, 2026
Indiana Fever
If those at the helm of the W were polled on their most desired Finals meeting, there’s no doubt that a championship get-together between its most decorated (Wilson) and its most talked-about active athletes (Caitlin Clark) would be at, or at least near, the top of the returns.
Indiana’s showing that it’s capable of forging such a matchup early on: the Fever’s shooting has proved contagious, as Kelsey Mitchell somehow continues to take steps forward on offense, which has also enjoyed near-double-doubles from Clark and Aliyah Boston.
The latter, Wilson’s fellow former Gamecock, has made an early Defensive Player of the Year case, and that side of the ball has also been boosted by the arrivals of Monique Billings and Sophie Cunningham from the free agency and injured lists, respectively.
Even with several headliners missing, the Fever (4-2) took the eventual champion Aces to the ultimate brink in last year’s semifinal set (Las Vegas required overtime to clinch against the Clark-less club in a winner-take-all Game 5). Indiana’s early outings suggest they would present a heftier challenge in a potential rematch.
KELSEY MITCHELL TODAY
• 30 POINTS
• 4 ASSISTS
• 3 REBOUNDS
• 11/22 FG pic.twitter.com/buExpgyRWl— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 9, 2026
Next Vegas Meeting: July 5
Minnesota Lynx
Even if the victims have left a little something to be desired (one win over a 2025 playoff participant to date), the Lynx are certain to add a new meaning to the “just wait until Napheesa Collier returns” trope.
Sitting at a league-best 5-2 entering Thursday play, Minnesota has the potential to give Las Vegas fits with or without Collier: part of that is thanks to the efforts of familiar faces like Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams, as their efforts have placed the club just ahead of Vegas in success rate from the field.
But the Lynx’s offseason work, viewed by some as dangerous after Bridget Carleton and Alanna Smith departed without restitution, deserves some credit as well. Veteran newcomers Nia Coffey and Natasha Howard have been two-way revelations, while little more needs to be said about how Olivia Miles has seamlessly handled a sizable early workload as a rookie, granted large responsibilities in the thick of a team’s title window.
Fans were denied a hardwood clash of the titans thanks to Collier’s late medical departure last season. Patience, however, is a virtue, and it’s one that could be well-rewarded if the Lynx’s early returns sans Collier are any indication.
Natasha Howard tonight
• 22 points
• 8 rebounds
• 5 assists
• 2 blocks
• 11/16 FG pic.twitter.com/DCbuFtC76W— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 28, 2026
Next Vegas Meeting: June 13
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
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