The name Becky Hammon is synonymous with winning. Three titles in Four years with the Las Vegas Aces mean she has already etched her name in the WNBA history books by forming a dynasty with one of the greatest players of all time in A’ja Wilson. Now, Hammon has added to the legend with her latest victory against the Valkyries. After the record win, Wilson pointed out what stands out in Hammon that makes her one of the best coaches in the league. 

A’ja Wilson’s 28 points,15 rebounds and 5 assists along with Jackie Young’s 23 points and 9 assists guided the Aces to a 91-81 win over the Valkyries. It took the defending champions to a 5-3 record while also giving Hammon her 150th win. She did that in 205 games, becoming the second fastest coach in WNBA history to get to that mark. Only Van Chancellor was faster, doing it in 198 games for the Houston Comets. Reacting to this achievement, Wilson emphasized how important Hammon has been for her. 

“I’ll run through a brick wall for Becky Hammon,” Wilson told the media. “She instills so much confidence in us, and that’s one of the reasons I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help her win. She has poured herself into us, which allows us to be true to ourselves, and that’s the sign of a great coach.” 

Beyond the X’s and O’s, which Hammon is still proficient in after being on Greg Popovich’s Spurs staff, Hammon is a relationship builder. She has formed bonds with each of the Aces’ key pieces, which has been essential in retaining them through the years. There is a reason this Aces squad has not broken up, even in this CBA overhaul. 

“I get 150 with some of the greatest human beings to ever play, and they are really fun to coach. I love them. We’re in this battle together, and we fight for each other,” Hammon said. “You hear all the time that a player would run through a wall for their coach, but this coach would run through a wall for them.”

But, while maintaining the ties, Hammon commands respect as well.  She brings that winning mentality that elevates this team while being a personnel manager. Hammon’s belief in Wilson is the one thing that stands out for the Aces star. 

“I’ve been coached by phenomenal women and phenomenal men, but the biggest thing that stands out about Becky is that she gives you so much grace. She gives me so much grace that I can’t even stay mad at myself when I’m furious about something,” Wilson further said. “She’s the first person I hear saying, ‘Don’t worry about it. We trust you. I trust you. Give yourself some grace. Take it off your shoulders.’ She’s a phenomenal person.”

Over the years, the Aces have faced adversity. They started the season in a poor fashion in 2025, going at 0.500 in the first few games. Yet, Becky Hammon stuck with her guns. She believed in Wilson and Co. to right the ship and they did. Their 2024 semifinal loss was dealt with like it was the end of the world for Wilson and Co.

That showed the pressure Hammon had to deliver at the Aces, which made the 2025 title even sweeter. And the grind does not stop. Hammon is targeting another title in 2026. And it is elevating a player who struggled to fit in two teams for four years.

NaLyssa Smith Is Taking Leaps Under Becky Hammon After Four Uncomfortable Years

NaLyssa Smith’s talent was visible from the first day after she was drafted by the Indiana Fever as the second overall pick in 2022. While she was a solid contributor in Indiana, Smith hit a roadblock in her third year. After averaging 15.5 points and 9.2 rebounds in her second year, her numbers dropped to 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds. So, she moved to Dallas where SMith struggled to fit as well. 

But a mid-2025 trade meant she went to the Aces. Under Becky Hammon, she impressed, contributing 8.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in their title run last year. But this season, she has found a different level. Smith dropped her 5th double-digit game of the season against the Valkyries with 15 points. 

She also added 9 rebounds to round out her performance. Smith is now averaging 11.5 points and 7.1 rebounds. That is despite sharing the paint with arguably the greatest player of all time in A’ja Wilson. With a Field Goal percentage of 71.1%, Smith is having her most accurate season yet. 

“NaLyssa is somebody who doesn’t get a lot of plays drawn for her and still finds ways to impact games in really big ways. Whether that’s getting on the glass, hard duck-ins, or diving and finishing, she had some really tough finishes in the paint today,” Hammon said. “We’re happy she’s finding ways to bring that out, and we’re finding ways to bring that out in her. She’s really worked herself into an important role with us.”

She is doing the dirty work for this team, grabbing the important rebounds and second-chance points, which could tilt the game either way. That clutch gene coupled with a hunger to improve means Hammon has got another beast playing for her.