“Just really one of the worst games I’ve seen from us,” Becky Hammon said flatly after the Las Vegas Aces suffered a 68–95 loss to the newly minted Golden State Valkyries. A’ja Wilson and Co. looked out of sync from the opening tip, with defensive lapses, poor communication, and a lack of energy combining to create one of their most lopsided defeats in recent memory.

GSV’s 74.4 scoring average ranked among the worst before that game, and the Aces conceded 95 points to this side, which shows their defensive frailty. They rank 9th in the league in defensive rating, and their attack has also been firing on all cylinders. Following that loss, they have made their first moves in rethinking their approach to the season.

The Las Vegas Aces have parted ways with 31-year-old forward Crystal Bradford, reducing their active roster size to just 10. In limited action during her third WNBA season, Bradford saw the court in four games, where she posted averages of 1 point and 1.3 rebounds over six minutes per game. Following her exit from the WNBA, she has a resolute message on X (then Twitter).

She wrote, “The worst feeling in the world is your parents calling, asking what you do? As if you are in trouble. I had a great camp and a tremendous growth here with the aces! They went in a different direction, and that’s just what it is. Hold the narratives because I am still a great” She further added, “Basketball player and person !”

Bradford was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with the 7th pick in the 2015 WNBA draft. She had a mildly impressive debut season, playing 15 games while averaging 9.5 minutes per game. Bradford missed the 2016 season with injury and hasn’t been the same since. She made a comeback to the WNBA last year, playing 24 games, including 9 starts for the Atlanta Dream and averaging 8.8 points and 1.5 assists while playing 18.3 minutes per game.

She also served a one-game suspension this season as a result of the 2021 altercation, which led her to miss the Aces’ season opener and was initially not retained by the Dream. The incident was a physical fight outside a bar involving then-teammate Courtney Williams that drew widespread criticism and raised questions about Bradford’s character at the time, which is why she put her foot down and added “and person” in her recent message. However, she publicly acknowledged her mistake and took full ownership of her actions, expressing regret and a commitment to growth.

“I take full accountability for my actions, every day I am striving to be a better me to my myself, family, friends and fans. I would like to thank the WNBA for believing in me,” she said at the time.

Bradford has had multiple exploits playing outside of the WNBA, but her break with the Aces marked an important development in her career back in the US. But now, after being waived, it sends her a few steps back in her career. However, her message suggests that she has had improvement in her game and a valuable experience with the Aces during her limited time there. Her time in camp and the squad was also about evolving as a player within a championship-level system, surrounded by elite talent and structure. She played with the likes of A’ja Wilson, a 2x WNBA champion and a 3x WNBA MVP.

“She’s our battery,” Wilson said of Bradford before the season, “She’s someone that’s going to bring energy no matter what. I never know if she’s having a bad day or a good day. And I love those types of people because they’re so consistent in what they bring to our game and to our locker room. I’m appreciative of her.”

Even though she did not survive the season, the growth she hints at may lay the foundation for future opportunities, both in the WNBA and internationally. There are a lot of departures going on in the WNBA, and she can be re-signed within the league itself. Or her valuable experience will earn her a very high salary abroad.

How Will The Aces Approach This Season Going Forward?

The Aces have only 10 players who can take the field against the Los Angeles Sparks, excluding Megan Gustafson, who is nursing a lower leg injury, and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, who is pregnant. According to Callie Flin, “a different direction” in Bradford’s message means that they are signing an external player to fill her void.

The Aces are not the team they once were this season, going 4-3 this season. It’s not only their record that is underwhelming, but also how they have lost the games. The recent blowout against a raw Valkyries squad. A 20-point loss against the Seattle Storm. A 14-point opening day loss to rivals New York Liberty. They have learned the hard way that even an anomaly like A’ja Wilson can’t carry the franchise anymore.

Wilson has still averaged 22.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists this season, continuing her alien-like form from last year when she almost single-handedly won the Aces the title. Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young have ably supported her. Their attack has been below average, and their defense has also been one of their weaknesses this season.

That will be the main focus moving forward, and the Aces are expected to pursue an experienced player who can make an immediate impact on both ends of the court. This is not just a matter of adding depth; it is about addressing a growing vulnerability that has already cost them in key moments. Throughout the early part of the season, the Aces have struggled to maintain composure and efficiency when games begin to slip away.

While it remains unclear who their next signing might be, the priority could be a veteran presence who brings poise, versatility, and the ability to steady the team during momentum swings. In essence, they are looking for a glue player who complements the stars and tightens the rotations. This has been a subtle but persistent Achilles’ heel for Las Vegas. The team lacks a reliable second-unit anchor who can stabilize lineups when starters rest or when the game plan begins to unravel. With a roster led by A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray, expectations remain high. However, in a competitive WNBA landscape, even small gaps in execution can be the difference between contending and coming up short.

The Aces are still well-positioned to turn their season around. They have the core talent to make a serious push, but securing the right signing at this stage could be essential, not only for regular-season consistency but also for surviving the intensity and depth demands of the postseason.