Aces leaning on depth as they look to close out Fever in Game 2

Las Vegas Aces have rotated their roster throughout 2026, leaning on a core trio of A'ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray. While bench roles have shifted over the regular season, the objective remains unchanged: capture a fourth WNBA title in five years. Injuries and availability issues have affected players such as Janiah Barker, who never suited up, and Dana Evans, who has moved in and out of the lineup. Each time, Las Vegas has turned to different bench contributors to fill those gaps. Coach Becky Hammon has emphasized a “next woman up” mindset, and during the franchise’s eight‑game winning streak, bench production has been vital. “We request that seat production,” Hammon said. “Cheyenne (Parker-Tyus) comes successful and helps america with the points and connected the glass, Jewell (Loyd) impacts the crippled successful a definite benignant of mode defensively adjacent erstwhile she is not getting shots. We request those points coming in. “I deliberation Cheyenne, Jewell, Mai (Yamamoto), and we cognize Dana are susceptible of coming successful and giving america 8 to 10. It is going to person to beryllium by committee.”” Hammon added that the bench is expected to contribute eight to ten points per game, stressing that the effort will be a collective one. The bench has included the departure of former defender Chennedy Carter and midseason additions Mai Yamamoto and Kalani Brown, who have helped offset injuries such as NaLyssa Smith’s. Over the last eight games, including the Game 1 win over the Indiana Fever, the Aces’ reserves have averaged 26.9 points per contest while providing valuable minutes when Wilson, Gray, or Young needed rest. “I deliberation the trio understands their enactment role,” Hammon said. “They recognize the standard, they recognize the expectation, they recognize and similar the pressure, and that mightiness beryllium the astir important part. “Their No. 1 occupation is to marque everybody other amended astir them. While doing that they go the champion mentation of themselves and we person been preaching that for 5 years. I deliberation that they afloat grasp and recognize that.”” That “by committee” approach was evident in Game 1, with the Aces receiving key contributions from players who will again be asked to play important roles in Tuesday’s matchup in Indianapolis. Although the Fever’s bench outscored Las Vegas’ reserves, the Aces still got enough production from their second unit to give starters rest without losing offensive efficiency—a factor that could become even more crucial as Vegas seeks to close the series on the road. This was especially important for Wilson, who delivered a record‑breaking stat line: 38 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks, becoming the only player in WNBA history to record at least 35 points and 15 rebounds while shooting better than 75 percent from the field. With a win over the Fever, Las Vegas can advance to the semifinals to face either the Golden State Valkyries or the Dallas Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday. If a third game is required, it will be played Thursday at Michelob Ultra Arena, with the time to be