Loss of NaLyssa Smith Puts Pressure on Aces’ Reigning MVP

Home » Loss of NaLyssa Smith Puts Pressure on Aces’ Reigning MVP
Sports
August 28, 2026August 28, 2026By Admin
0
Loss of NaLyssa Smith Puts Pressure on Aces’ Reigning MVP

The Las Vegas Aces have overcome obstacles in each of their championship campaigns, three of the last four years. If they want to make it four titles in five years, they’ll have to do it without starting forward NaLyssa Smith.

NaLyssa Smith Las Vegas Aces 2026
(Photo by Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz/Getty Images)

Smith will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering a non-contact injury to her left leg Aug. 23 against Toronto, the team announced Thursday. She started all 38 games she played in, and averaged 11.7 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting a remarkable 63.8% from the field.

The loss is a major blow to the defending champion Aces because it removes their most efficient interior scorer, second-leading rebounder and the frontcourt partner who kept opponents from loading their entire defense toward reigning MVP A’ja Wilson.

Heading into Friday’s home game against the Toronto Tempo, the third-place Aces are one-half game behind the Golden State Valkyries and 3.5 games back of the league-leading Minnesota Lynx.

For now, Las Vegas is holding off the Atlanta Dream, who are one-half game back in fourth place.

Fortunately for the Aces, their remaining five games are against non-playoff teams they’ve gone 7-2 against this season: Toronto, Seattle (twice), Los Angeles and Phoenix.

Though the Aces haven’t budged from +600 to win the WNBA title, per DraftKings, here are the uphill battles they’ll face if they want to repeat this season.

A’One Pressure

Smith’s cutting, offensive rebounding and finishing forced opposing frontcourts to defend two legitimate interior threats. Without her, teams will find it much easier to double Wilson more aggressively and devote additional bodies to keeping her off the glass.

Smith’s injury does not eliminate Las Vegas from championship contention because Wilson remains the league’s most dominant player and the Aces still possess exceptional postseason experience.

But during her championship years, Wilson has had players like Dearica Hamby and Kiah Stokes, who are now in Los Angeles and Golden State, respectively, and Smith once she arrived last season.

Cheyenne Parker-Tyus offers scoring ability and is the most logical candidate for expanded minutes to replace Smith. Brianna Turner supplies defense and rebounding, but has averaged only 1.6 points and 2.2 rebounds. Neither provides Smith’s combination of athleticism, finishing and production.

Decline In Offensive Efficiency

Smith did not require plays to be called for her. She scored off rolls, cuts, transition opportunities and putbacks. Replacing her 11.7 points is possible, but replacing that production at nearly 64% shooting is not.

She also averaged 8.3 rebounds over her final nine appearances – including 4.0 on the offensive glass. Her presence allowed for second-chance opportunities. The onus could fall on Wilson, who may find herself a bit more weary with the added responsibility during defensive possessions.

The increase in Wilson’s workload could very well reduce her ability to leak out or initiate transition offense.

Reduced Margin For Error

Smith was capable of becoming the secondary scorer when Wilson was injured or facing constant double-teams, as we saw when she produced a season-high 29 points when Wilson was unavailable against Chicago. That insurance policy is now gone.

A greater dependence on small-ball lineups would find Las Vegas surrounding Wilson with Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd and another perimeter player.

And yes, that configuration creates more spacing and playmaking, but it also leaves the Aces vulnerable against larger teams on the boards and inside.

Bottom Line

Parker-Tyus will likely be forced into a situation where she’ll have to become a dependable playoff contributor, while the guards will have to compensate with better shooting and rebounding.

And regardless if president/general manager Nikki Fargas and coach Becky Hammon can sign someone, that replacement will need a crash course on Hammon’s system, meaning Wilson will undoubtedly carry an even heavier two-way burden.

The Aces remain dangerous, but they are now thinner, smaller and considerably more dependent on their core trio of Wilson, Young and Gray.

W.G. Ramirez is a veteran sports writer from Las Vegas and a Staff Writer at Ballislife.com. Follow him on X at @WillieGRamirez.

The post Loss of NaLyssa Smith Puts Pressure on Aces' Reigning MVP appeared first on Ballislife.com.