In their first season under head coach Becky Hammon, the Las Vegas Aces are again heading to the playoffs. With a solid start to the season and a few bumps in the road, the Aces have had a tremendous regular season. Many players for the Aces have played their best season yet, and it is certainly a team effort that led the Aces to this point. Let’s take a look at how the Aces were in the regular season that led them to this point. The Las Vegas Aces are heading to the 2022 playoffs. Here is the Las Vegas Aces: Road to the Playoffs.
With their win against the LA Sparks, the Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) have clinched a spot in the 2022 WNBA playoffs 👏 pic.twitter.com/tMZfnTkaB5
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 24, 2022
Starting Off Strong
Many fans and viewers knew the Aces would be good this season under Hammon, but many were amazed at how good they were from the get-go. The Aces started off the season 13-2, which is an impressive start for a team under new leadership and a new system. The two losses were close against some of the other best teams in the league. A strong start is great for standings and confidence and sets the team’s tone and expectations. The Aces quickly emphasized that they were here to compete, play their best basketball, and reach their potential under Hammon. A huge reason the Aces were able to make it to the playoffs is their strong start.
Offensive Domination
A significant reason why the Aces have been so successful so far is their offensive domination. In their first game of the season, the Aces put up 106 points in their win against the Mercury. A considerable part of Hammon’s coaching is her offense, which is apparent in how the Aces play. Posts are shooting threes, unlike previous seasons. The floor is spread for the Aces, too, allowing for now only outside shots but opening up the paint. The Aces are leading all teams in scoring and field goal attempts. They additionally lead the league in 3-point percentage, which has been a large part of their game this season. The Aces have continued to dominate on offense, making it difficult for teams to guard. The Aces’ domination on offense is a huge reason why they made the playoffs.
The Well-Rounded Starters
The Aces have a dominating starting five that has been a tremendous part of their success. Three out of the five starters are within the Top 10 scorers in the entire league. It certainly helps that three of the Aces’ starters are former number 1 draft picks, not to mention an MVP, an All-Star MVP, many sixth Women of the Year, and many other honors. Many people expect the Aces to add a few more honors to their list after the season ends.
2020 MVP A’ja Wilson has had another fantastic season on both sides of the ball. Her shooting outside of the paint has improved phenomenally and has continued to be a huge threat on defense. Kelsey Plum earned her spot in the starting lineup this year, and rightfully so. She is second in the league in scoring and can change the game with her playing style. KP has become so hard to guard because not only does she shoot phenomenally, but she also passes well.
Jackie Young has also had her best season yet; alongside Plum, these two are unstoppable on offense. Chelsea Gray is the facilitator or ‘Point Gawd’ for the Aces. She dishes out several assists a night and is clutch for the Aces when they need a game-winning basket. Last but not least, you have Dearica Hamby. Hamby does so much for the Aces that it often gets overlooked. Her ability to rebound and score in the paint has been so important for the team’s success. The starting five has been essential in the Aces’ ability to go to the playoffs.
Overcoming Adversity
With every team comes its challenges. The Aces, at one point, were missing both Jackie Young and Riquna Williams due to injuries, but both have recovered and are back to playing. These players are huge assets, primarily on offense to the team, so the remaining four starters had to up their production without them. At one point during the season, right before the All-Star break, the Aces had a tough time and went on a 2-5 run. The team was struggling to make shots and get stops on defense. The team seemed to be out of their rhythm but were able to adjust during the break. Since the All-Star break, the Aces have only lost one game and seem to be back to the team we once saw early on. The team pulled off a significant win in the Commissioner’s Cup against the Sky; although this doesn’t affect their record, it is a possible finals matchup this year as the Sky is currently ranked #1, and the Aces #2.
Expectations
With a highly ranked team like the Aces comes many expectations. While at #2, many fans expect the Aces to make a run to the finals this year. There is no doubt that the Aces’ offense will allow them to get there if the high production comes from the starters. However, there is doubt when it comes to bench production and defense. Since the starters are averaging so many points, it is hard to play the bench, so their depth is not as great. The defense has also been a struggle for the team this year with such an offensive-heavy team. Five teams have clinched a spot in the playoffs, but three spots are left to grab. At this point, it is unsure who the Aces will play, but it is likely to see them in the later stages of the playoffs.
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