While the Las Vegas Aces ended the WNBA regular season with the league’s fourth best record, it was disappointing 2024 season, falling short in the playoffs ultimately being eliminated by rival Super Team New York Liberty. As we now, three-peats are the most difficult of team achievements in professional basketball; there’s just a lot of different nuances, mindset and conditions that go into winning three consecutive championships. The Aces felt a lot of that this season. Throughout the up and down season, the Aces had significant highs and suffered through setbacks.

Las Vegas Aces Season Recap: 2024

As the defending champions from the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the Aces came into the season as the favorites to win the WNBA championship again.  The Aces became the first WNBA team to sell out season ticket memberships for two consecutive years, with the 2025 memberships selling out even before the 2024 season concluded. 

Finishing with a 27-13 regular-season record and securing the fourth seed in the playoffs. The team, led by A’ja Wilson, faced several highs and lows, with key moments shaping their journey to the postseason.

Wilson has a historic season. Wilson earned her third Kia WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, becoming only the fourth player in WNBA history to win three MVPs, alongside legends like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson. She was also the first unanimous MVP since Cynthia Cooper in 1997, receiving all 67 first-place votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Wilson set career highs across numerous categories, averaging 26.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.58 blocks, and 1.79 steals per game, while also breaking the WNBA single-season record for scoring average and total points (1,021) and rebounds (451). She led the league in points, blocks, and total rebounds, cementing her status as the top player of the season. Her consistency was remarkable, scoring at least 20 points in 89.5% of her games and posting multiple record-setting performances throughout the season.

Tiffany Hayes was named the 2024 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year after signing with the Aces midseason.

Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray joined Wilson on the Gold Medal-winning Olympic Team representing USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The four would also be all-stars.

With a mix of MVP-caliber talent, all-stars and Olympians, and experienced leadership, the Aces were regularly at the forefront of title conversations in the WNBA. Las Vegas’ identity as a hub for sports betting makes placing bets on the Aces almost a part of the city’s culture, seamlessly blending the excitement of the game with the thrill of gambling. The team’s winning track record and consistent contention make them an appealing bet according to this review here, further cementing their place not just in WNBA history but also as a favorite among sports enthusiasts in the country’s betting capital.

All that said, the Las Vegas Aces dealt with several setbacks, including injuries and player retirements. Candace Parker, who joined the Aces the previous season and helped them repeat, announced her retirement before the season.  And CP3’s retirement was one of the three core issues that faced the Aces’ this season.

Candace Parker Retires

Parker’s departure was a significant loss, both on the court and as a veteran leader. Her absence left a significant void for the Las Vegas Aces, both on and off the court. As a seasoned veteran and a two-time WNBA champion, Parker was a critical component of the Aces’ playmaking and leadership structure. Her ability to facilitate the offense and make intelligent decisions under pressure added a unique layer to the Aces’ versatility and made her an irreplaceable presence on the court.

Additionally, Parker’s rebounding was a crucial asset to the team, providing consistent second-chance opportunities and controlling the defensive boards. Her absence meant the Aces had to rely more heavily on A’ja Wilson and other players to fill the rebounding gap, which put additional strain on the team’s overall dynamics. Beyond her physical contributions, Parker’s leadership qualities and experience brought stability and guidance, especially during crucial moments in the postseason. Losing Parker affected not only the team’s tactical depth but also its morale, ultimately making it harder for the Aces to push through their challenges in the 2024 season.

Kia Stokes just couldn’t or wouldn’t fill that void. More on that in a minute.

Chelsea Gray Wasn’t Herself All Season

Chelsea Gray had an exceptional 2023 season but struggled with injuries in 2024, impacted the team’s cohesion. Gray’s absence was a considerable blow especially without Parker, as she had been a critical playmaker and vocal leader for the team.

The “Point Gawd,” had an impactful return to the team in June after missing a substantial part of the season due to injury. Her absence earlier in the year had an impact on the team’s chemistry and momentum, which may have hindered their ability to fully dominate in the postseason as she did in the 2023 playoff run. Despite a strong performance against the Seattle Storm, Gray’s comeback was marked with inconsistency throughout the season. Gray’s regular season stats across 27 games played was just 8.6 points and 4.9 assists on 40.8% FG%. Her PPG was the lowest since her second season in the league (2016), her assists average the lowest since 2017 and the field goal percentage was a career low by a long shot.

Kiah Stokes Scored Zero Points in the Playoffs

Throughout her WNBA career, Stokes has primarily been known for her defensive capabilities—grabbing rebounds, blocking shots, and providing crucial size in the frontcourt. Kiah Stokes has consistently been a valuable presence in the paint for the Las Vegas Aces, but her reluctance to be an offensive threat has become a notable issue for the team this season, especially in games where one (or two) of the Big Four are struggling. In the 2024 Playoffs, Stokes scored ZERO points in four games before being benched in the last two games against the Liberty.

During the regular season, Kiah averaged just 1.4 points per game on 33.3% shooting in 18 minutes a game, focusing instead on her rebounding duties, where she contributed an average of 4.8 rebounds per game. While her defensive skills were instrumental, her lack of offensive involvement made it easier for opposing defenses to collapse on the Aces’ main scorers like A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, knowing Stokes would even look for the ball on offense. Teams figured this out and stopped guarding her.

Stokes’ inability to step up offensively during key moments in the 2024 season limited the Aces’ options in close games and contributed to their playoff exit against the New York Liberty whose defensive strategy was to clog the paint and dare Wilson, Young, Plum or Gray to pass to her on the perimeter.

*clears throat* YERRRRRRRRRRRRRR pic.twitter.com/aAdZu6uHSl

— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) October 6, 2024

Despite their playoff exit, if the Aces can keep Wilson, Young, Gray and Plum, the Las Vegas Aces will always be in a strong position. After the Liberty social media trolled the Aces, you know they’ll be primed and hungry and vengeful for another championship push in 2025.  Injuries and the physical toll of a three-peat played a significant role in the Aces’ eventual playoff exit. 

This combination of injuries, retirement, and a lack of floor spacing and play making during the playoffs contributed to the Aces’ inability to reach their ultimate goal of securing a WNBA championship this season.