The last time A’ja Wilson and the Aces matched up against Dallas, the game was practically decided by halftime. Even though it was just a preseason matchup, the Wings never really shone. Their rebounding fell apart, and Vegas took control and coasted to an easy win. Now, as they meet the Aces again today, you’d expect Dallas to have fixed those issues. And they did, the final minutes of the third quarter tell the whole story.

The Aces started strong with a 6-point lead in Q1, but Dallas shrank that gap to 3 points in Q2. And after that, Dallas was dictating the game with 15-30 in Q3. Now, with the Aces sitting at 4-4, they have a lot at stake. Because another loss would drop them below .500 for the first time this season. Seems like A’ja Wilson’s absence is weighing heavily on the squad. She was ruled out after suffering a facial injury during their loss to the Sparks.

Moreover, with Paige Bueckers’ return from a concussion protocol of her own, Dallas seems to be finding its footing. They might finally secure the season’s second win. And A’ja Wilson is all stressed about it. She was with her boyfriend, Bam Adebayo, with an anxious look on the sidelines. As she watched, the Aces going into the third quarter holding a remarkable lead but losing it all real quick.

The Aces’ downfall started when at the 8:47 mark in 3rd, DiJonai Carrington drained a three to cut into the lead. Whereas, just moments later, Paige Bueckers came up with a steal followed by a mid-range jumper that evened the score. That sequence marked the turning point where Dallas was able to seize control of the game. Moreover, Vegas couldn’t stop the self-inflicted mistakes.

Jackie Young picked up an offensive foul, Chelsea Gray made an ill-advised pass, and Jewell Loyd coughed up the ball in the backcourt. Those errors from the Aces gave the Wings the opening they needed to build momentum. Paige kept hitting timely shots, Arike Ogunbowale delivered clutch jumpers, and Dana Evans provided consistent scoring from outside. By 6:36, Dallas had surged way ahead and never let go of that advantage they had finally gained.

A’ja Wilson’s Absence: A Hidden Boost for the Aces in the long run?

A’ja Wilson being out certainly weakens the Aces right now. However, could it actually help them develop in ways they desperately need in long-term? As the current MVP, Wilson is shouldering a massive burden. By putting up 20.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks per game. She currently tops the team in every major stat, which shows how dominant she’s been but also reveals how dangerously reliant they are on her.

Even though she won unanimous MVP honors last season, her exhaustion was clear when Vegas fell to the championship-winning New York Liberty in the playoffs. For the Aces to make another Finals run and win it all, they can’t keep leaning so heavily on Wilson. They desperately need to share the load. This period without Wilson could force those exact adjustments. The team has leaned on its “core four” of Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and now Jewell Loyd since relocating to Vegas, but the role players must elevate their games.

Loyd, especially, hasn’t found her groove. She is averaging only 9.1 points on 29.9% shooting, well certainly below what was expected after taking Kelsey Plum’s spot. But with Wilson out, this could be Loyd’s chance to rediscover her form while others could take on bigger roles. Because if the Aces can get reliable contributions from their entire rotation during this stretch, it could create a more balanced offense and a stronger foundation for another title push.