Aces have a wealth of options to fill fifth starting spot
Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) takes the ball down the court during first half of WNBA preseason game on Sunday April 26, 2026 at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. LAS VEGAS -- Rich in the experience of having done this before, the defending champion Las Vegas Aces are in no rush to make any major lineup decisions ahead of their Ring Night season opener against the Phoenix Mercury on May 9. Boosted by the additions of three more veterans and two rookies, coach Becky Hammon will likely use the first few games of the campaign to try and figure out the perfect starting five balance.
After two pre-season outings, we know in which direction Hammon is leaning. Newcomer Stephanie Talbot got the nod in both the 94-78 win over Japan and the 101-84 defeat at Dallas on Sunday. A savvy forward, Talbot lined up next to A’ja Wilson and NaLyssa Smith in the frontcourt and posted 8 points on 2-6 FG in 19 minutes against the Wings.
Three-time champion guard Jewell Loyd dropped to the bench after starting against Japan — though she played the most minutes (28) of all Aces. Having preached defense all off-season, Hammon would not have been pleased with how her team opened their final tuneup game before the season officially commences. The Aces fell behind the young Wings 35-20 in the opening frame and were never able to claw their way back into the game after receiving the punch.
Hammon wasn’t thrilled, but that’s what these games are for. To figure things out. She is not new to this.
“Defensively, we’re going to be a work in progress,” Hammon said during the Aces’ national Zoom media availability on Monday. “We’re still early in training camp. But the good thing is that I have a team that knows what it takes and what it looks like.
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