Earth to Vegas, Earth to Vegas. Do you copy? Because the Aces are operating in another galaxy entirely, and that has left the rest of the W with shivering timbers. Not long ago, this team was spiraling. On July 10, they were two games under .500 and staring down the possibility of missing the playoffs altogether. Then came the nadir, two run-ins with Minnesota in the span of eight days that left scars. The first was a 31-point smackdown, the second, a 53-point humiliation so brutal it felt like you had to cover your eyes.

Yet, here we are. Vegas’ win over Atlanta on Wednesday vaulted them into the No. 2 seed while extending the winning streak to 12. The timing couldn’t be better, as the very team that torched them (the league-leading Lynx) waits on September 4. At 26-14, Vegas can’t take away Minnesota’s (30-7) top seed, but they can challenge their pride, and maybe even Napheesa Collier’s MVP case.

A’ja Wilson knows that Vegas flipped it, too. Asked what flipped the switch for this team, she didn’t mince words: “I feel like for us is like in the beginning of the season getting torched. Uh, that really can – can you touch that stove when you know it’s hot. And I think we’ve learned our lesson.” She explained further: “Even when we play against great teams and how they can have a great first quarter or a great third quarter, [we know] how to weather storms and be resilient in the moment and make adjustments.”

And the proof is in the pudding. The Aces have beaten the #2 Dream (twice), the #4 Mercury (twice), and the #5 Liberty. This is no cupcake schedule. In the process, they even tied a franchise record first set in 2012, back when Becky Hammon was still wearing the jersey instead of the suit. Now, as mentioned earlier, comes the true test. September 4, under Vegas lights, against the same Lynx who last forced Becky Hammon to hand her squad an “F.”

Moreover, an even bigger question lingers: even if the Aces get their revenge, can they blast past Minnesota (and the rest of the championship contenders) to finish this season on another planet entirely?

A’ja Wilson Powers the Aces’ Orbit

What the Aces must do to win it all is no mystery, but it will take flawless execution. Oddsmakers currently peg Las Vegas at +700 to win the championship. It is a number that feels entirely within reach, given the way they’ve flipped their season. Still, momentum alone won’t topple the Lynx or Liberty in a playoff series. It needs more.

Naturally, starting with A’ja Wilson. For the Aces to truly maintain the offensive firepower needed, A’ja Wilson must continue to be the best player in the WNBA. She has already piled up 35 career 30-point games like a machine, but against teams as efficient as Minnesota and New York, there’s no room for her to falter. With Vegas’ roster depth not quite on the same level as their rivals, Wilson’s production is the anchor.

But even A’ja Wilson can’t do it alone. The supporting cast must thrive. Jackie Young is in the midst of a terrific season at 16.4 points and 4.4 assists per game, while Chelsea Gray is adding 11.0 points per night and dishing out 5.3 assists. Their consistency will be the difference between a deep run and a disappointing exit. The good news is that Becky Hammon is steering the ship. She’s one of the most demanding, battle-tested coaches in the league, and she knows how to get the most out of her stars.

Then there’s the defense. It is an age-old championship cliché, but one that matters here. For all their winning, the Aces have allowed under 75 points only four times during this 11-game stretch, and two of those came against sub-.500 teams. If they want to outlast Collier’s Lynx or Ionescu’s Liberty, their defense has to stiffen. That, more than anything, could define whether this “galactic run” ends with a third banner in Vegas.