WNBA adds pressure on A’ja Wilson, Aces with schedule release

A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces are set for a big 2025 season. However, they did lose key players such as Kelsey Plum during the offseason. The Aces were able to add Jewell Loyd, however. There is pressure on the Aces to perform at a high level, as evidenced by their national broadcast schedule, via WNBA.com.

The Aces have the second most nationally televised or streamed games with a mark of 33, trailing only the Indiana Fever’s 41. The defending-champion New York Liberty are third with 32.

Aces have high expectations

Las Vegas’ 33 national games prove that the WNBA is expecting them to make serious noise once again in the standings. Of course, having the face of the league on the team in A’ja Wilson is surely something the WNBA considered as well. Nevertheless, the league wouldn’t have given them so many national games if they were expecting regression.

The fact of the matter is that Kelsey Plum has played a pivotal role alongside A’ja Wilson over the years. They have chemistry with one another. Las Vegas previously featured a reliable core of Wilson, Plum, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. Now, Plum is being replaced with Loyd.

The move is not a downgrade from a talent standpoint, but building chemistry often takes years to accomplish. Loyd is a star and she will likely find success with her new team, but doing so may require an adjustment period. The same can be said for Plum with her new team in the Los Angeles Sparks.

Meanwhile, the Liberty feature a similar core to last season. That core took care of business, leading New York to an NBA Finals run and ending the Aces’ championship streak at two (Las Vegas won back-to-back WNBA Finals in 2022 and 2023). Yet, the Aces have more nationally televised and streamed games than the Liberty, adding extra pressure.

Will Aces make another WNBA Finals run?

There is reason to believe that Las Vegas will play well once again. After all, Loyd is a great player. As mentioned, there may be an initial adjustment period but the Aces will likely make another deep postseason run.

Upsetting the Liberty will prove to be a challenge, though. The Minnesota Lynx are also a championship contender, while the Fever could make things interesting as well. The Aces’ postseason experience may prove to be a difference-maker during the upcoming campaign, though.