Aces win the day over Tempo, but NaLyssa Smith’s injury looms large

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada — The Las Vegas Aces secured their playoff seeding with an 86-69 victory over the Toronto Tempo on Sunday at Rogers Arena. The win is undoubtedly a cause for celebration, but the Aces' season is overshadowed by an injury concern for teammate NaLyssa Smith. During the third quarter, Smith suffered a severe left knee injury while coming down after catching a high pass.

Unable to put weight on her left leg, her long-term status remains uncertain. A’ja Wilson, the four-time MVP, led the Aces with 27 points and recorded seven assists and rebounds, coming close to achieving a triple-double. "The emotions are what they’re going to be," lamented Wilson after the game, adding, "Lyss is a soldier. God has his hands on her, and we’re going to continue to be beside her through this whole process."

Despite the setback, the Aces demonstrated resilience and relentless defense throughout the game, recording 11 steals and forcing 15 turnovers. Head coach Becky Hammon emphasized the team's strong defensive performance, stating, "We just got to continue to execute at a high level."