NaLyssa Smith is out for the rest of the season after struggling a non-contact leg damage late final week, the Las Vegas Aces introduced on Thursday.
Smith, who was acquired by the Aces forward of final 12 months’s midseason commerce deadline, averaged 11.8 factors and 6.4 rebounds over 37 video games this season, and led the league in subject aim share at 63.8%.
The Aces at present have a 26-13 file, which is the third-best mark within the WNBA. They’ve received three of the previous 4 WNBA titles, and this 12 months, they’re eyeing their fourth championship, led by a core of A’ja Wilson, Jackie Younger, and Chelsea Grey. All three gamers will signify the US on the FIBA World Cup, which begins subsequent week. After WNBA play resumed, the Aces may have 4 video games left earlier than the WNBA playoffs.
Brianna Turner turns into extraordinarily vital in Smith’s absence
Brianna Turner has appeared in 36 video games this season, averaging 12.8 minutes per recreation. Whereas her contributions on the offensive finish are restricted, Turner supplies versatility and rim safety on the defensive finish, and will kind a formidable defensive backcourt with A’ja Wilson.
The 30-year-old is used to having a extra vital position than she has had this season; throughout her 8-year profession within the WNBA, she has began 138 video games and averaged at the least 26 minutes per evening in 4 completely different seasons.
With Smith sidelined, it’s possible that Turner will see a much more vital on-court alternative.
Moreover, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Kierstan Bell may see their minutes enhance. Parker-Tyus is averaging 5.2 factors and a pair of.6 rebounds in 10.7 minutes per recreation, whereas Bell is averaging 2 factors and 1.5 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per recreation.
Stephanie Talbot, who has began alongside Smith and Wilson however averaged simply 16.7 minutes per recreation, is also extra closely relied upon by Becky Hammon.
The place the Aces rank amongst WNBA title contenders
With or with out NaLyssa Smith, the Las Vegas Aces are on a brief checklist of groups who’ve a professional likelihood of successful the WNBA championship. However they lose a few of their offensive versatility with Smith — the fourth-leading scorer on the roster — sidelined. Smith was pivotal in final 12 months’s title run, placing up back-to-back 16- and 18-point performances in opposition to the Indiana Fever within the WNBA Semi-Finals.
The Minnesota Lynx — at present absolutely wholesome — additionally change into that rather more formidable. The Lynx, who’re 31-8, have the league’s finest file and finest level differential (+8.3) regardless of Napheesa Collier lacking a lot of the season so far. Minnesota has a loaded beginning lineup that features rookie and MVP candidate Olivia Miles, three-time All-Stars Courtney Williams and Natasha Howard, and five-time All-Stars Kayla McBride and Collier.
The Golden State Valkyries have additionally been higher than the Aces this season; they’ve the second-best file (28-11) and point-differential (+6.9) within the WNBA.
Nonetheless, in crunch time, will probably be exhausting to choose in opposition to the Aces and their trio of three-time champions. Chelsea Grey has already hit a litany of clutch pictures this season, whereas Younger (18.8 factors, 6.6 assists) and Wilson (26 factors, 9.5 rebounds) have each loved profession seasons.