When the Las Vegas Aces sent a 2027 first-round pick to Dallas for NaLyssa Smith, it was a surprising move, but Becky Hammon had a plan in mind. “We knew we needed to get A’ja [Wilson] some help on the inside. And [Smith is] somebody… had a lot of talent,” she unveiled on August 26. From the moment Smith suited up, she clicked seamlessly with Wilson, giving the two-time champ exactly the frontcourt support she needed. Though the help hasn’t been confined to the court!

During Game 3 of the semifinals series against Indy, A’ja Wilson looked a little rushed in the first half. She was limited to just 1 of 11 from the field and wasn’t getting her usual looks. Though she converted 5 of her 9 attempts in the second half, it was still low as she was limited to just 6 of 20 shooting. Not ideal for an MVP, entered the game averaging 25.8 points with 9.6 rebounds in the playoffs this season. But despite Wilson’s struggles, Lyss ensured to back her GOAT up.

When asked about the four-time MVP’s offensive struggles during the postgame press conference, she didn’t hold back. “It just shows she’s human. … I mean, the way she’s been playing this season, it’s hard to tell she’s human. We’re all going to have those [rough] games. That’s when we have to step up and pour into her … give a little bit more.”

And we get it, Lyss. Even MVPs can have bad days on their level (which aren’t actually bad by regular standards). A’ja was limited to just 13 points on 6 of 20 shooting, her lowest point total in these playoffs. Still, Lyss ensured to show the vulnerable side of A’ja, and she did all this while standing up for the Las Vegas Aces, and her efforts didn’t go unnoticed.

Coach Becky Hammon admitted, “That’s why Lyss was eating good in the neighborhood: She was diving in behind and we were getting some layups off of it… That’s why you like to play with good players, because their presence opens up everybody else.” Smith deserved the praise for her 16 points, four rebounds, and four blocks on the day. Coming back to Wilson, while she lacked offensively, she did a good job on the defensive end.

“But we still feed off her. I told her at halftime, ‘We won’t win this game without you.’ So even though her offense wasn’t where she wanted it to be, her defense was still on. She’s still that person we need on the floor,” Smith added. Wilson’s defense, undoubtedly, was a huge factor in holding Indy to 35.6% shooting.

According to ESPN, both Wilson and Smith kept Indy to 4-of-22 shooting (18%) when either of them contested the shot. While the Fever went 3 of 10 against Smith, they were just 1 of 12 against Wilson, justifying her title of Co-Defensive Player of the Year. But it ain’t just about one game, they’ve been doing it since getting together!

Behind Wilson’s guidance and Smith’s rise, the Aces look more dangerous than ever

During the 2025 preseason, Wilson was spotted giving Smith some tips during the game. Two women on different teams, but Wilson, “the realest in the game”, focused on Lyss’s mentorship. So when Lyss got to know she’d be playing alongside her, it was a huge opportunity.

“That’s my GOAT! … I admire the way she plays and just how effortless she makes it look. With her just always around me, giving me tips, giving me motivation throughout the game, making sure I stay on my head and stuff like that. So it’s been huge,” Smith said about Wilson. Just a season ago, Smith was coming off a career-low 10.6 points per game with Indy.

Ever since the midseason trade by the Wings, her overall impact has clearly elevated. Since joining the team, the Aces have been one of the hottest teams across the league. They entered the playoffs with a remarkable 16-game winning streak. All thanks to a special mentorship with Wilson and film study, she’s now putting up 8.2 points per game with 5.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists across 27 games with the Las Vegas Aces this season.

“She just helps in a variety of ways, not just points-wise, but on the boards. She’s actually a really, really good rebounder. So we’ve just tried to throw her to the fire. She’s responded well. She hasn’t had a lot of practice time with us. It’s really just been like learning on the job in games, and she’s still getting all our play-calls down,” Becky Hammon shared about Lyss on August 26.

Well, no doubt, Lyss deserves it all. She’s been averaging 9.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks through six playoff games. For the last two games against Indy, she’s scored 34 points combined with 11 rebounds, proving she’s here to stay. But the Wilson-Smith duo is not done yet. While they’ve got an edge with 2-1, they’re still a win away from the Finals.