For the first time in almost a month, the Las Vegas Aces are back at practice, this time with some hardware.
The Aces welcomed back its six Olympians from the 2024 Paris games. Those participants included A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray, who all won the gold medal with Team USA. Center Megan Gustafson was also in France with Spain and Tiffany Hayes participated in the 3×3 event for Azerbaijan.
Head coach Becky Hammon wanted to give her team time to rest up before going hard in practice to account for jet lag and extra wear and tear on everyone’s bodies.
“I felt like they didn’t need to hear from me right away. I gave them time to reset and refuel,” Hammon said. “I decided to leave them alone today. If they wanted to play they could play. I want them juiced and ready to go for the rest of the season.”
Those who took advantage of Hammon’s request to rest was A’ja Wilson, who did not participate on Thursday.
Those who did participate in practice are still looking to get their feet underneath them following the long break. Kelsey Plum was unavailable to the media following practice due to treatment and could be heard talking about her stamina during the team’s end-of-practice scrimmage.
“I think I left my legs in Paris,” Plum said.
From friends to foes
The Aces will have to ramp up efforts to be ready as the WNBA’s top team, the New York Liberty will be coming to Las Vegas this Saturday.
Similar to the Aces, the Liberty had multiple stars who played in the Olympics for Team USA. Both Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu played big roles en route to the gold medal.
Now that the WNBA is resuming, the Aces and Liberty Olympians will have to flip the switch quickly from teammates to opponents.
“As athletes, we have to learn how to compartmentalize. I put my season on hold and had to think, ‘How do I get the best shot for Stewie (Brianna Stewart)?'” said Chelsea Gray. “Now I have to think ‘How do I take away the best shot for Stewie?'”
In their only meeting this season, the Liberty defeated the Aces 90-82 back in June.
