WNBA: Will the All-Star break be the pivotal reset the Aces needed?

The WNBA All-Star break was a much-needed reset period for the WNBA, with players across the league taking the time to rest, bond and create memories over what was a historic All-Star weekend for the league, marked by plenty of memes and moments that will last for quite some time.

While all teams will look to come back from this period with the fire to finish out the season, could the Las Vegas Aces be particularly poised to flip that switch?

Rough beginnings

The Las Vegas Aces struggles have been the loudest part of their season—by a mile.

It’s been a common point of reference in WNBA conversations. The question keeps circling back to: “Can they figure it out?” And the question is now more prevalent than ever. The first half of the season has passed, and they sit at 11-11 after 22 games. The reset point of the season has come and gone, so the time is now for this Aces squad to make it work.

There’s no question regarding the talent that the Aces possess; it’s the chemistry, or lack thereof, that has remained the elephant in the room since the season began.

An obvious concern entering the season was how Vegas could perform with a rebuilt roster, but I don’t think anyone foresaw this team struggling as much as they have to this point. After the All-Star break, you would expect the squad to realize they’re sitting even on the season, inspiring their veteran leaders to lock in to help the team reach a respectable level by the time the postseason rolls around.

Smooth endings

The Aces may have large expectations on their plate after a frigid start to their season, but they also have stars with even larger potential. If there’s a team built to win when locked in, this Vegas squad is still high on the list.

A’ja Wilson is still in MVP stride, Jackie Young has been on a consistent roll for most of the season, Chelsea Gray has maintained her health and Jewell Loyd has had her moments as well. The veteran leadership on this team remains very strong, but the depth hasn’t been up to par, as the roster’s production has primarily focused around those four players.

Still, the Aces are actually in a decent position of attack.

Not only are they coming off a break with a solid veteran core, but they also have a relatively easy remaining schedule, especially in comparison to their first chunk of the season. It would be a pleasant, and not surprising, situation if the Aces locked in and strung together a few solid winning streaks over the next two months to help better position themselves for the postseason. Things could be looking up for the Aces if they play their cards right and put up a fight in the back half of this season.