The Las Vegas Aces entered Thursday night as defending WNBA champions, but their 81-54 loss to the Indiana Fever revealed cracks in the dynasty’s foundation. Two-time MVP A’ja Wilson scored 29 points — more than half her team’s total — in what became one of the franchise’s most embarrassing defeats.
The loss dropped the Aces to 8-9, raising questions about their playoff positioning as the season approaches its midpoint.
A’ja Wilson and Becky Hammon Speak on Performance
The Aces managed just 54 points to the Fever’s 81, their lowest scoring output since Becky Hammon took over as head coach in 2022. Wilson’s dominant performance stood in stark contrast to her teammates’ struggles. She went 9-of-18 shooting from the field and 11 of 13 from the foul line, while the rest of the Aces squad combined for just 7 of 43 shooting (16%).
This marked the first time in Hammon’s tenure that the team shot below 30% from the field. The 27-point margin of defeat highlighted how far the two-time defending champions have fallen from their typical standard of excellence.
Wilson finished the night with 29 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one block. She also became the joint-fastest player in history to reach 300 points, 100 rebounds, and 50 assists in a season. However, personal milestones meant little on a night when the team’s championship aspirations took a significant hit.
A’ja Wilson on Las Vegas Aces defense
“We haven’t been ourselves…we have to figure out…Our defense has to be 10 times better.”
— Moreau Sports Media Prod Co. (@MoreauSportsCo) July 4, 2025
Despite the offensive struggles, Wilson surprisingly focused on the defensive end in her postgame comments. The 28-year-old emphasized that improvement needed to start there.
“We haven’t been ourselves…we have to figure out…Our defense has to be 10 times better,” Wilson said.
Rather than pointing fingers, Wilson called for unity during this challenging stretch. She emphasized the talent within the roster and the need to support each other through adversity.
“God has blessed us with way too much talent…this is the time to shine for one another and come together,” she added.
Hammon Questions Team’s Professionalism After Historic Low
While Wilson tried to maintain positivity, Hammon delivered a scathing assessment of her team’s performance. The three-time WNBA champion as a player and two-time champion as a coach didn’t mince words about what she witnessed.
“There’s not a whole lot to say,” Hammon said. “That’s a complete lack of professionalism to come in here with that effort. Complete lack of focus. They played harder yesterday in practice, by a lot. Wasn’t even close.”
The frustration in Hammon’s voice reflected the gap between expectations and reality. A team that has dominated the league for two seasons suddenly looked lost against a Fever squad that has improved significantly this season.
“I don’t know how you step on to the floor with 20,000 people in the stands and perform like that,” Hammon added. “That’s one of the worst, it is the worst, offensive nights I’ve ever seen, as far as I’ve been here in the last four years.”
The Aces’ struggles extend beyond one bad shooting night. At 8-9, they sit in unfamiliar territory for a franchise that has grown accustomed to excellence. The team faces immediate pressure to regroup before Sunday’s matchup against the Connecticut Sun, another playoff contender.
For a franchise that has set the standard in women’s professional basketball, Thursday’s performance served as a wake-up call. Whether the Aces can recapture their championship form or continue to struggle will shape not only their season but potentially the future of their dynasty.
