Four-time MVP A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces said her decision not to compete in the FIBA World Cup tournament provided her with time to recover rather than simply prepare for the postseason.

“It was a major decision. I don’t think it was necessarily even getting ready for the postseason. It was just taking care of my body and what I need to do,” Wilson said as the Aces prepare to end their three-week break Thursday with a game at the Seattle Storm. “This ball’s gonna stop bouncing eventually, and I wanna at least make sure I feel good in that.

“I don’t think I was thinking too much of like, ‘Oh, gotta get ready for playoffs.’ It was more so like, ‘I just don’t feel well,’ and if I can’t give myself a hundred percent, I feel like I rob not only my teammates, but that uniform, that USA uniform.”

The Aces spent their practice time during game week sharpening their defense and getting back into shape, with coach Becky Hammon balancing the need to push her players while keeping them healthy with the playoffs approaching.

Wilson also described the ramp-up back to play as “the hardest training camp” she’s been a part of, which is in part because of Hammon’s plan to sharpen the roster without risking additional injuries.

With four players returning from international competition and newly signed center Kalani Brown joining the rotation, the Aces have little time to regain their rhythm before the postseason begins Sept. 27.

“Yeah, and I probably ran them a little bit more than I have in the past. But sometimes just running is the best way to keep them safe and just get them in shape,” Hammon said. “Obviously, I’ve always been a coach. I’m not out here trying to win practice. We want to win the day, but I’m more concerned with us being ready to go two days from now.

“We didn’t go super long, but I feel like we had focused, quality time. Just sharpen them up and try to maintain some sharpness when we’re tired and gassed.”

That approach becomes particularly important for the Aces’ four World Cup players — Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Mai Yamamoto and Stephanie Talbot — who are returning to the team after spending the break playing internationally.

Young was named the player of the game in Team USA’s 97-79 gold-medal win over France, posting 18 points, six rebounds and five assists. Gray added 12 points, four rebounds and five assists.

“I think both Jack and Chelsea were crucial for Team USA. They just love big moments, they love the biggest stage, they love the world stage. They’re just winners. That is in their DNA,” Hammon said. “Pressure brings out the best in them. And in that greatness, they’re able to help elevate their teammates as well.”

While some Aces players experienced international play and others received needed rest, Brown spent the break in Las Vegas getting acclimated to her new environment.

“I’ve been here since they’ve been on break, getting acclimated,” Brown said. “We are just getting everybody back. I’ve kind of been on a lone island pretty much through the break, and then everybody’s been trickling in, but it’s been great.

“I’ve been able to fit in seamlessly. Now it’s about locking in.”

Brown matched up with the Aces in the 2025 WNBA Finals during her time with the Phoenix Mercury and was a free-agent addition to the Las Vegas roster.

“I’ve been living a life of normalcy up until this point, so I had to lock back into work and that’s why I wanted to stay in Vegas and get in shape and get up to that speed because when you’re working out, it’s nothing like this,” Brown said. “This is the highest level. It’s pretty great.”

Hammon said Brown’s size and skill set could give the Aces another offensive option as she continues learning the team’s system.

“We’ve always known she has great shooting touch,” Hammon said. “Now it’s just about her learning our system, learning what we like to do defensively and then fit her in places where she can be effective.

“I think she can definitely be a weapon for us offensively.”

While Hammon is confident in Brown’s ability, the 6-foot-7 center also feels that she can thrive in the role that the Aces need her to fill.

“I’m feeling very confident because I get to do me first and then I could be more versatile on the back end, but nobody’s asking me to step outside my box or do anything out of my skill set, which is good,” Brown said. “I feel a lot more confident.”

Although the Aces have just four games remaining on the schedule, the timing of the break was awkward for every team in the league, and it’s something Hammon said the Aces will have to persevere through.

“It’s a funky rhythm for everybody. Everybody’s going to have to just dive right in and hit the ground running,” Hammon said. “Every team is in the same kind of situation to a certain degree.

“Nobody cares. Nobody feels sorry for us. Let’s take care of one game at a time.”

Up next

Who: Las Vegas Aces (27-13, 13-6 Western Conference) at Seattle Storm (8-32, 1-18 Western Conference)

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle

Line: Aces -9.5; over/under is 173.5

TV: KMCC-TV (Channel 34), CNBC, USA Network

Streaming: Prime Video

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