Entering the 2026 season, the Las Vegas Aces find themselves in a familiar position, chasing their fourth title in five years.
And they will have a familiar roster too, returning 4-time MVP A’ja Wilson as well as All-Stars Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Jewell Loyd as their core.
They also bolstered their squad with a handful of offseason additions, including Brianna Turner from the Indiana Fever and Stephanie Talbot from the New York Liberty. Both are entering their seventh years in the league, bringing valuable experience in the paint.
Turner is known for her defensive IQ, telling reporters at media day that she’s always had a knack for defensive play.
“I’ve just always been defensive-minded,” Turner told reporters at media day. “At Notre Dame, I was under coach Muffet McGraw; she really emphasized defense, basically, if you didn’t play defense, you didn’t play at all.”
Last season with the Fever, she totaled eight blocks, two steals, and 50 rebounds, 32 of which were on the defensive end. Head coach Becky Hammon praised Turner for her defensive IQ, with Turner telling reporters that Hammon told her to keep playing her game and not to change her game.
“They don’t want anything new from me,” Turner said at media day. “They know what I can do, so just doing what I do, doing what I’m already good at.”
This year, the Aces are embracing defensive play. Since day one, Hammon has made it a point of emphasis to improve longer, drawn-out defensive play. During practices, they’ve increased shot clock times to put pressure on the defensive end.
Talbot is another player who has been praised for her high basketball IQ. Not only has she played multiple seasons in the WNBA, but she’s played in her home country of Australia as well.
Last season, Talbot was a part of the Golden State Valkyries, then joined the New York Liberty. With the Valkyries, she averaged 3.6 points per game, 3.3 rebounds, and two assists. With the Liberty, she averaged 2.5 points per game, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
However, it isn’t necessarily the stat sheet that’s impressed Hammon and the Aces. With her quick plays on defense and little movements on offense, the little details gave this veteran a roster spot.
“I think Steph Talbot has really picked things up quickly,” Hammon told reporters before their match against Japan. “I think she’s gonna be a nice balancing piece for us.”
Chennedy Carter was another name to enter the Aces talent pool. After a year in both Mexico and China, Carter made her anticipated debut in the preseason matchup against the Japanese National Team. She led the Aces with 18 points and had five rebounds, two assists, and a block.
Aside from her statistics, she showed mid-season aggression and intensity, forcing turnovers and shot clock violations against the Japanese National Team.
“She actually has a natural knack for that,” Hammon told reporters after the match. “I think she’s one that it’s just kind of in her DNA to go and pursue the ball.”
Against the Dallas Wings, Carter only had five points, but also had two assists and two blocks. While Carter is only under a training camp contract at the moment, her impact will be taken into consideration when the roster spots are being finalized.
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The draftees
The Aces did not have a first-round pick this year, but selected Janiah Barker 29th overall. Barker ended her collegiate career at Tennessee, averaging 14.3 points per game, along with 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.9 steals.
Barker, another forward, is expected to learn from veterans like NaLyssa Smith. Her accolades, including being a multi-medalist with the Team USA FIBA basketball teams, made her a standout to the Aces squad.
At the Aces media day, she highlighted the adjustments she’s been making to the WNBA, and how she’s trying to be the best player she can be for her team.
“When it comes to finding a role,” Barker told reporters, “I mean, I really don’t care what it is. If I get to be the best cheerleader, if I’ve got to practice standing up and down before a game because I’m going to cheer the whole game, I’ll do that.”
Barker scored a point off a free throw in her debut against Japan, but left the game early after taking a hit to the head. She did not play against the Dallas Wings.
Jordan Obi was selected as the 44th pick of the WNBA Draft. Coming off her senior season at Kentucky, Obi entered the draft with a 9-point-per-game average, along with six rebounds and 1.1 assists.
Going into training camp, Obi’s goal was to learn more about herself and her confidence.
“Just being myself, being confident in who I am,” Obi told reporters when asked about what she learned about herself at media day, “what I bring to the table. You know, get to know me, to learn and grow, experience new things.”
In the preseason, Obi remained scoreless in both matches. However, she managed a rebound and an assist in their match against Japan. Against the Dallas Wings, she got a rebound.
Unfortunately, Obi was waived from the team.
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Preseason
In their exhibition match against the Japanese National Team, the Aces came out on top with a 94-78 victory.
The Aces were without A’ja Wilson for this game due to a small arm injury. In her place in the starting lineup, Stephanie Talbot took over.
While this game was a preview of the new Aces, one player stood out: Chennedy Carter. With her pressurized defense and her explosive plays on offense, she appeared to be at home with her playing style.
“They have embraced me and they made me feel comfortable,” Carter told reporters after their game against Japan, “and they’re helping me grow and elevate, and I trust that they’ll help me take my game to the next level, and I’m going to help them grow as well.”
Wilson returned for the team’s game against the Dallas Wings, but the Aces fell 101-84 and struggled shooting.
Compared to Dallas’s 45% 3-point accuracy, the Aces were only accurate for 29% of their shots. Wilson was a bright spot, dropping 18 points.
While the Aces only had 14 assists compared to the Wings’ 24 assists, Chelsea Gray immediately kicked off the game with a behind-the-back pass to Jackie Young, who got the first bucket of the game.
Opening night
Now that the preseason has wrapped up, the regular season is full steam ahead for Las Vegas, and the Aces will take on the Phoenix Mercury in a championship rematch to kick off their season at home.
To honor the 2025 championship-winning team, the Aces will hold a ring ceremony before the game on May 9 at 12:30 p.m. PST. The game will be televised on ABC and Disney+.