The Las Vegas Aces entered the WNBA semifinals not fully healthy, with their roster depth noticeably affected. In their 71-60 defeat to the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday, Oct. 4, the Aces were missing NaLyssa Smith, Stephanie Talbot, and Dana Evans, and also lost Jewell Loyd partway through the game due to a leg injury.
There is some hope, though, that Evans and Talbot might return for upcoming games, but Loyd is expected to remain sidelined. According to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Aces head coach Becky Hammon indicated that Evans and Talbot’s availability will be decided at game time, while Loyd will likely be out.
In Game 1, Loyd had a plus/minus rating of +2 but struggled offensively, going 0-for-2 with two missed three-pointers, two rebounds, an assist, and a turnover. Talbot has been sidelined with a left leg injury, Evans is dealing with a knee issue, and Smith endured a non-contact injury causing left leg and knee pain during a game against the Toronto Tempo on Aug. 23.
Hammon acknowledged the team’s depleted state leading up to Game 1, stating, “We just have to be next woman up.” She also contrasted their lineup with the Valkyries’, highlighting the different types of firepower on each side, and expressed a desire for better health moving forward but accepted the current situation.
The semifinal series continues with Game 2 on Oct. 7 at 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. PT) at the Chase Center in San Francisco, where the Aces will attempt to even the series against the 1-0 Valkyries before heading back to Las Vegas for Games 3 and 4.
Fan Take: This injury update is crucial for WNBA fans because it highlights how much depth and health impact playoff success, especially in such a competitive league. The Aces’ ability to rebound from these setbacks could not only shape the outcome of this series but also inspire resilience and grit that elevate the sport’s excitement and narrative.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
