After clinching three WNBA championships in the last four seasons, the Las Vegas Aces are eyeing another. But their championship aspirations have taken a major hit. One of their most reliable starters, NaLyssa Smith, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with the playoffs right around the corner. So with the Aces confirming that NaLyssa Smith will miss the rest of the campaign, it didn’t take long for members of the WNBA media to react.
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WNBA reporter and podcast host, Myles Ehrlich, took to X, writing, “Awful. A terrific (and super-efficient) season cut short for Lyss. Sending her the best in recovery.”
ESPN reporter Holly Rowe also reacted to the news, writing, “Ugh tough news for Aces.”
According to reports, Smith suffered a non-contact left leg injury on Sunday when the Aces secured an 88-78 win over the Toronto Tempo. The injury came with just over three minutes left in the third quarter, as Smith was running in transition after Jackie Young sent a pass her way. Smith went up to grab the ball, but as soon as she came back down, her left leg immediately buckled, sending the Aces forward to the floor.
She immediately grabbed her leg in visible pain before she eventually had to be helped off the court, where she wasn’t able to put weight on the injured leg. Her absence will now leave the Las Vegas Aces concerned. After all, Smith was one of the most important pieces of what made this team work.
Through 38 appearances this season, the 26-year-old was averaging 11.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 0.6 steals per game while shooting a career-best 63.8% from the field. Her scoring average is the best it’s been since 2023. Her rebounding mark has also been her highest since 2024. But these numbers become even more important when considering the role she played alongside A’ja Wilson.
With opposing defenses constantly focused on the four-time MVP, NaLyssa Smith found ways to make an impact without needing the ball in her hands. Her cutting, activity around the basket, and ability to attack the offensive glass gave Las Vegas another way to punish defenses. And that rebounding impact could be the biggest thing the Aces miss.
Las Vegas has already struggled to create second-chance opportunities this season, and Smith was one of its most reliable offensive rebounders. Her absence leaves a significant void next to Wilson, particularly against teams that can punish the Aces on the glass. So the question now is how Becky Hammon plans to fill it.
Brianna Turner and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus are the two most obvious internal options. Turner can bring defensive value, but on the offensive side she has been limited, whereas Parker-Tyus provides more scoring, but she has had her fair share of struggles defensively. The Aces could also lean into smaller lineups, with Wilson continuing to anchor the middle while players such as Jewell Loyd take on a bigger role alongside her.
According to Sabreena Merchant of The Athletic, Las Vegas has already received a season-ending injury exception for NaLyssa Smith. This allows the Aces to sign a free agent on a minimum contract to help fill the void. However, the timing will make that search difficult. The Aces were reportedly in the mix for DeWanna Bonner, but the veteran ultimately chose the Atlanta Dream. That leaves Las Vegas with little room for error heading into the postseason.
The Aces currently sit third in the standings and have a favorable schedule remaining, so Smith’s absence may not derail their regular-season position. But once the playoffs begin, replacing an efficient scorer, rebounder, and versatile frontcourt piece becomes a much bigger challenge.
Las Vegas still has A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray leading the way. But if the Aces are serious about completing another championship run, they will need to find a way to make up for what NaLyssa Smith brought to the floor.