A’ja Wilson has issued a wake-up call, and the numbers support her urgency. The Las Vegas Aces are not defending like champions. Not yet, anyway
But the season isn’t over. There’s time to course-correct, lock in, and re-establish their defensive identity. If anyone can lead that charge, it’s Wilson. Her voice, her leadership, and her talent are all that the Aces need to rally behind.
Now, it’s up to the rest of the team to respond.
Because if they don’t start playing defense soon… someone else will be lifting the trophy this year.
In a league thriving on generational talent and compelling storylines, the clash between A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark is as must-watch as it gets.
Whether Sunday ends in redemption for Las Vegas or a statement win for Indiana, fans are in for a spectacle — one that could mark the beginning of a new era in WNBA history.
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Table of Contents
A’ja Wilson: Rocky Start for the Reigning Champions
The Las Vegas Aces, back-to-back WNBA champions in 2022 and 2023, have encountered an unfamiliar challenge in the early stages of the 2025 season.1
With a record of just 5-7 after their first 12 games, the Aces are far from the dominant force they’ve recently been known as. Injuries, inconsistent play, and stronger league-wide competition have all contributed to the rocky start.
While star forward A’ja Wilson has continued to produce at an elite level, the team around her has struggled to find its rhythm.
With former All-Stars like Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum missing time due to injury or playing through nagging issues, Wilson has shouldered a massive load on both ends of the floor.
A New Rivalry Brews: Wilson vs. Clark
This Sunday’s matchup between the Aces and the Indiana Fever marks the first meeting between A’ja Wilson and rookie sensation Caitlin Clark in the 2025 season.
The game is expected to draw significant attention, as Clark’s arrival in the league has captivated basketball fans and brought a new level of viewership to the WNBA.
Yet, for all the external hype around the Wilson-Clark showdown, the Aces star seems unfazed. “I haven’t even thought about that.
I’m going to digest this one,” Wilson said following a recent loss, indicating her focus remains squarely on improving her team’s performance overall, rather than any individual battle.
A’ja Wilson and Clark Delivering Big Numbers
Despite their respective team struggles, both A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark have put up strong individual numbers.2
Through nine games, Wilson is averaging 20.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game — continuing to prove why she is widely regarded as the league’s premier two-way player.
Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, has likewise delivered, averaging 19.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.6 assists in just seven games.
Her floor vision and long-range shooting have translated well to the pros, and while she’s still adjusting to the physicality and defensive schemes of the WNBA, her impact is undeniable.
The 2024 Series: Aces’ Dominance Over Fever
Last season, the Aces swept their season series against the Fever. In their most recent clash on September 13, 2024, Las Vegas eked out a narrow 78-74 victory at Indiana’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Wilson contributed a monster double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds, while Clark flirted with a triple-double, tallying 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists.
That performance underscored Clark’s ability to impact games against elite competition, and the Fever nearly pulled off the upset despite being a young and relatively inexperienced squad.
Heading into this year’s first meeting, both teams will be looking to establish different narratives — the Fever aiming to prove they can beat a top-tier opponent, and the Aces hoping to get their season back on track.
Aces’ Struggles: A Matter of Depth and Chemistry
The Aces’ slow start this season isn’t entirely due to the play of Wilson, who has been reliably excellent. Instead, it’s the supporting cast that has come under scrutiny.
With Candace Parker having retired and several role players either sidelined or underperforming, Las Vegas is struggling to maintain the kind of balance that made them so formidable in past seasons.
Kelsey Plum, usually a reliable scoring threat, has been inconsistent from beyond the arc.
Jackie Young, who was expected to take another leap, has been forced to take on more playmaking responsibilities in Chelsea Gray’s absence, which has somewhat diminished her effectiveness. The bench has also failed to consistently provide scoring and energy.
A’ja Wilson’s Leadership Tested
As the team’s emotional and statistical leader, A’ja Wilson has now been tasked with more than just putting up numbers. Her leadership is being tested in ways it hasn’t before.3
During the past two seasons, the Aces cruised to top seeds with loaded rosters and rarely had to endure losing streaks or internal adversity.
But now, with the team under .500, Wilson’s ability to keep her teammates motivated and focused will be vital.
She’s already shown signs of taking this challenge personally — stepping up her defensive intensity, calling team huddles during dead balls, and remaining poised during media sessions.
How she handles this chapter of her career could ultimately define her legacy as one of the all-time greats.
Caitlin Clark: The Rookie with a Veteran’s Mindset
On the other side, Caitlin Clark continues to be the centerpiece of Indiana’s rebuilding project. Though only a second-year pro, Clark’s approach to the game has often mirrored that of seasoned veterans.
Her command of the offense, coupled with her fearless shooting range, has electrified fans and given the Fever their first real hope of contention in years.
Clark has shown the ability to raise the level of those around her — NaLyssa Smith has looked more confident, Aliyah Boston has started to find her footing again, and veteran guard Erica Wheeler has benefitted from Clark’s spacing and vision.
A win over Las Vegas would be a major statement not just for Clark, but for a young Fever squad trying to turn potential into wins.
Sunday’s Matchup: Key Battles to Watch
The most obvious storyline heading into Sunday is Wilson vs. Clark, but this game will come down to more than just the two stars.
Here are three key matchups that could decide the outcome:
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Kelsey Plum vs. Erica Wheeler – If Plum can rediscover her shooting touch, she could relieve some pressure off Wilson. Wheeler, meanwhile, has the experience and defensive grit to make Plum’s night difficult.
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Aliyah Boston vs. A’ja Wilson – A battle of former South Carolina greats. Wilson will need to outplay her collegiate successor on both ends to keep Las Vegas in control of the paint.
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Turnovers and Transition – The Fever like to run when Clark grabs rebounds or pushes off steals. Las Vegas must limit live-ball turnovers to avoid giving Indiana easy points.
What’s at Stake
For the Aces, this game is more than just a midseason matchup — it’s a must-win if they hope to reassert themselves as title contenders.
A loss would drop them further behind teams like the New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun, while raising further questions about their chemistry and long-term ceiling.
For the Fever, a win would signify that they’ve taken a step toward legitimacy. Beating the defending champs — even a struggling version — would go a long way toward boosting their confidence and reinforcing their playoff aspirations.
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A’ja Wilson’s Candid Assessment
In the world of professional sports, honesty from athletes—especially superstars—is often cloaked in clichés or veiled optimism.
But A’ja Wilson isn’t interested in sugarcoating the truth. When asked about the biggest issue plaguing the Las Vegas Aces during the 2025 WNBA season, the two-time league MVP didn’t hesitate. Her answer? Defense. Or rather, the lack thereof.
“We’re not playing it,” she said bluntly.
That six-word statement cut through any lingering illusions about what’s holding the Aces back this season.
Despite boasting a roster stacked with talent and championship pedigree, the defending WNBA champions are finding themselves surprisingly vulnerable on one end of the floor.
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The Stats Don’t Lie: Aces’ Defense in Numbers
Wilson’s assessment isn’t just anecdotal—it’s statistically sound.
Through their first 12 games of the 2025 season, the Aces have posted some alarming numbers on the defensive end:
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9th in Defensive Rating: Once dominant in this category, Las Vegas is now in the bottom half of the league.
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10th in Opponent Field Goal Percentage: Opponents are shooting with ease, finding open looks far too often.
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12th in Opponent Points in the Paint: Perhaps the most damning number for a team with Wilson and other interior threats, they are getting carved up down low.
These numbers underscore the frustration that Wilson and the coaching staff must be feeling. In past seasons, defense was one of the hallmarks of Las Vegas’ identity—tough, physical, and relentless. But in 2025, that reputation is crumbling.
The Legacy at Risk: From Dynasty to Disarray?
The Aces entered this season chasing history. With back-to-back championships under their belt, the goal was simple: a three-peat. Such a feat would have cemented their dynasty status and placed them in the pantheon of all-time great teams in WNBA history.
But dynasties aren’t built on talent alone. They’re built on grit, consistency, and above all, defense. As Wilson knows too well, offense wins games—but defense wins championships. And right now, the Aces are doing little to inspire confidence on that end.
Their offensive numbers remain solid, but basketball is a two-way game. If the defense doesn’t tighten up, the Aces risk squandering their window of opportunity.
A’ja Wilson Takes The Mantle
Leadership in Crisis
While some stars shy away from leadership in times of adversity, A’ja Wilson is leaning into it.
Her blunt statement was not meant to criticize but to challenge. As the face of the franchise and a proven leader, Wilson’s call-out was a rallying cry.
Wilson’s accountability begins with herself. She continues to produce MVP-caliber numbers on offense and gives effort defensively, but even she knows she can’t do it alone. Her message is clear: the standard is not being met.
Can the Aces Flip the Switch? History Says Yes
There’s a reason no one is counting the Aces out just yet—they’ve been here before. In 2023, they had midseason defensive lapses too, only to shore things up in time for a dominant playoff run.
Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Kelsey Plum are battle-tested. The return of a healthy Candace Parker could also provide a defensive boost, particularly in rim protection and veteran leadership.
History shows us that great teams often hit turbulence. But it’s how they respond that defines their legacy. The Aces have the talent, coaching, and experience to fix the issues. Whether they have the will remains to be seen.
The Road Ahead: Key Areas for Improvement
If Las Vegas wants to salvage their season and remain a title contender, they’ll need to address a few key areas immediately:
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Rebounding: Limit second-chance points and finish defensive possessions.
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Transition Defense: Get back quickly and stop easy fast-break buckets.
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Close-Outs: Contest perimeter shots more aggressively and disrupt rhythm shooters.
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Help Defense: Improve rotations and help-side awareness.
Each of these areas can be improved with focus and effort. And effort is non-negotiable.
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