2024 has not been a year for the Las Vegas Aces. Once the three-peat favorites, the Aces never seemed a title favorite this season. I mean, even A’ja Wilson, who won the MVP, was out of touch in the semi-finals against the New York Liberty. So, who is to blame for their poor run this season?

A’ja Wilson in offense and Kelsey Plum in defense, both have been outstanding for the Aces this season. But was this enough? Definitely not! There might be many factors behind the Aces’ poor run in 2024, but this team has not clicked majorly because of the collective efforts.

Reasons behind the Las Vegas Aces’ fall in 2024

“Attack might win you a few games, defense wins you the title.” If I have to sum up the Aces’ performance in one, this would be it. A team that topped the defensive chart in 2023, they are ranking fourth this season. Acknowledging the same, Coach Hammond has been very clear on the defensive front. “You have to get back to just old-school accountability. Play defense or come sit next to me are your options,” she said in Aug this year.

Compared to an outstanding 97.7 defensive rating in 2023, the LV Aces are 99.6 in defense this year. But this is not the only reason the Aces have been struggling.

Unlike the last couple of years, the Aces players have not had enough rest this season, especially the core four of A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young, who played a crucial role in Team USA’s Olympic win.

Despite the “Olympic fatigue,” Wilson and Plum played their best version of basketball. One ended up winning the MVP while the other one pulled back-to-back All-Star season. But what about Chelsea and Jackie, the other two of the core four?

Read more: Becky Hammon Exposes One “Backbreaking” Flaw in LV Aces Amid Elimination Threat from NY Liberty

Notably, ever since returning from the Paris Olympics, Jackie has not played her usual game. And Chelsea, who, no doubt, has had her moments this season, missed a major part of the season due to her foot injury. You see how this season was not for the let’s say that the Aces did not deserve to win the championship.

The New York Liberty, on the other hand, is having a season for ages. Not only did they knock the Aces out of the championship race, but the Sandy Brondello-led Liberty also took their revenge from last year’s final where they faced a crushing defeat from the LV Aces. If the Liberty wins the championship this year, it will be their maiden title and the WNBA will also get a new winner, since the Aces are headed home.

Blame who all you want, but if the Las Vegas Aces are not bringing the silverware home this season, you can’t do anything about it.