Las Vegas Aces move forward without NaLyssa Smith following season-ending injury

The Las Vegas Aces are adjusting their rotation after NaLyssa Smith sustained a season-ending injury during an August 23 game against the Toronto Tempo. Smith, who started every game this season and led the team in field goal percentage at 63.8%, suffered a no-contact injury to her leg during the third quarter. Head coach Becky Hammon has begun evaluating frontcourt options, including Brianna Turner, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, and recently signed center Kalani Brown to fill the void. The team previously relied on Smith as a secondary rebounding option alongside A’ja Wilson. Following the injury, the Aces have experimented with smaller lineups involving Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd to cover defensive responsibilities. Smith arrived in Las Vegas last season and was instrumental in the team's 16-game win streak that preceded their 2025 championship run.

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