You know that feeling when something just isn’t clicking? That’s exactly how A’ja Wilson felt going into the 2024 WNBA season. Once the league powerhouse, the Las Vegas Aces fell flat in a crushing semifinal exit missing out on a three-peat. And Wilson? She saw it coming from a mile away. “It wasn’t a championship locker room…I mean, out the gate, going into training camp, I was like, ‘We ain’t got it,” said Wilson.
Well, things changed. The Aces shocked the WNBA world on January 27, 2025, by sending Kelsey Plum, a fan favorite and critical component of Aces’ success, on a blockbuster three-team deal to the Los Angeles Sparks. In return, the Aces landed none other than six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd from the Seattle Storm.
Jewell Loyd’s arrival was a game-changer for the Aces. In 2023, she topped the league in scoring with a ridiculous 24.7 ppg and followed that up with 19.7 ppg in 2024; she was exactly the kind of spark the Aces needed. And no one was more excited about the trade than A’ja Wilson.
Talking to Callie Fin of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Wilson recalled the exact moment she found out about the trade. When Wilson got the call that Loyd was being traded to the Aces, she said she FaceTimed her from Paris, and they initially just stared at each other. “(It was) complete silence, like we’re shook, we’re stunned. And all of a sudden, you just hear us screaming, like, ‘Let’s go! We’re talking to each other as teammates!’” said Wilson.
NEW: It’s *really* hard to three-peat.
I talked to A’ja Wilson about why it didn’t work for the Aces, and how she plans to adapt.
Also got her thoughts on some of the biggest changes the team has faced so far https://t.co/U0NeQ6vPpg for @reviewjournal
— Callie Fin (@CallieJLaw) February 10, 2025
It came as no surprise that Wilson couldn’t contain her excitement. She called Loyd a “complete dog on both sides of the floor,” praising her all-around game. Already, the two had chemistry with each other playing together for Team USA, as Wilson said, “we cut up really bad on the bench.”
A’ja Wilson wants to bring the championship feeling back
It certainly wasn’t easy losing Plum, since she was such a big piece of the equation for the Aces’ back-to-back championships, putting up 17.7 points and 4.5 assists per game last season. But this trade? It was a statement, not a change. Reclaiming their spot at the top was important to the Aces.
Though the arrival of Loyd was exciting, A’ja Wilson stayed on task, focused on the ultimate goal. Her top priority was “bringing the championship feeling” back to Las Vegas. The failure to clinch a third consecutive title the previous season left an undeniable hunger for redemption.
Aug 25, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) celebrates with teammates after scoring game winning basket against the Chicago Sky during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
It had fueled a renewed determination to make amends for the disappointment of falling short. With Loyd added to Wilson’s leadership, the Aces signaled a new era—the era of resilience, determination, and an unbreakable pursuit of excellence. As the 2025 season rapidly approaches, the Aces are preparing for a comeback. Wilson’s fire, Loyd’s scoring power, and fresh energy in the locker room? This is a recipe for something special. Las Vegas isn’t just going to compete with this squad — they’re going to dominate this road to redemption.
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