INSTANT KARMA For A’ja Wilson After Kelsey Plum DESTROYED Her & Aces By 30 POINTS!

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INSTANT KARMA For A’ja Wilson After Kelsey Plum DESTROYED Her & Aces By 30 POINTS!

Introduction

In a shocking turn of events, the Las Vegas Aces, once heralded as a WNBA dynasty, suffered a humiliating 27-point loss to the Golden State Valkyries, an expansion team still finding its footing. The final score of 68-95 left fans and analysts questioning what’s happening in Vegas. Meanwhile, former Aces star Kelsey Plum, now with the Los Angeles Sparks, is thriving, averaging 25.2 points per game and seemingly laughing at her old team’s downfall. This article explores the Aces’ collapse, Plum’s meteoric rise, and whether A’ja Wilson, the supposed untouchable queen of basketball, has been exposed.

A Devastating Loss to an Expansion Team

The Las Vegas Aces were supposed to be championship contenders, a team poised to repeat as title holders. Instead, they were utterly demolished by the Golden State Valkyries in a game that wasn’t just a loss—it was a four-quarter, 27-point spanking in front of a sold-out crowd. As one observer put it, “They didn’t just beat the Las Vegas Aces; they kicked their whole ass.” This wasn’t a close contest or a fluke; it was the Aces’ worst loss since 2023, a 38-point beating by the Liberty. But unlike that game, where A’ja Wilson was held to just nine points, this time she scored 17—and they still got obliterated.

The numbers are staggering. The Aces could only muster 68 points with a roster boasting talents like Wilson, Jackie Young, and Jewel Lloyd. Wilson managed 17 points on 5-of-13 shooting, Young was held to 8 points on 1-of-6 from the field, and Lloyd, the player acquired in the trade that sent Plum away, scored a measly 6 points on 1-of-8 shooting. Coach Becky Hammon was so disgusted with her team’s performance that she publicly called them out, saying, “I’m not going to coach effort. It’s the one thing I can’t deal with. You’re in charge of your effort.” When a coach questions her team’s heart, it’s not just a talent problem—it’s a culture problem.

What makes this loss even more embarrassing is that the Valkyries are an expansion team, supposedly “learning how to walk,” not running championship contenders out of the gym. With a 3-5 record, they’re far from a powerhouse, yet they played with an intensity and grit that the Aces lacked. Rookie Kate Martin, a former Aces bench player, outshone Wilson with 12 points and 7 rebounds, compared to Wilson’s 6 boards. She even outscored Young and Lloyd combined, who managed just 9 points together. This game wasn’t just a loss; it was a referendum on everything the Aces thought they knew about building a winning team.

Kelsey Plum: The Heartbeat of a Dynasty

While the Aces are crumbling, Kelsey Plum is flourishing with the Los Angeles Sparks. In her very first game in a Sparks uniform, she dropped 37 points—a WNBA record for most points in a season opener—shooting 11-of-19 from the field and going perfect from the free-throw line. She also became the first player in league history to record at least 35 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals in a single game. Currently, Plum averages 25.2 points and 5.5 assists per game, shooting 43.4% from three-point range. These aren’t just solid numbers; they’re MVP-caliber stats from a player who was supposedly just a complementary piece in Vegas.

Plum’s success isn’t just about scoring. As one analyst noted, “She’s able to read the floor, make plays, and be a very consistent offensive force.” Her body language suggests a newfound freedom, a chance to be the “number one dog” and drive her own car at her own speed. While her individual brilliance hasn’t yet translated into consistent wins for the Sparks, she’s exactly what the team needed to revive their stagnant offense. ESPN and fans alike are already mentioning her in MVP conversations, with many arguing that, though early, she might be leading the race.

What’s most striking is that Plum’s departure seems to have coincided with the Aces’ decline. Traded in a blockbuster three-team deal, her exit was treated as “business as usual” by the Aces’ management and even Wilson herself, who remarked, “It is what it is.” But Plum wasn’t just a role player; she was a three-time All-Star who helped deliver back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023. Wilson once admitted that Plum was the “hard-nosed player that did all of everything in the moment,” a cornerstone who spoke her mind in the locker room. Trading away such a player wasn’t just a roster move; it was a catastrophic mistake that stripped the Aces of their soul.

A’ja Wilson Exposed? Cracks in the Queen’s Armor

A’ja Wilson has long been crowned the untouchable queen of basketball, a three-time MVP who was assumed to be the irreplaceable centerpiece of the Aces’ dynasty. But with Plum gone, the cracks in her armor are showing. In the last five games, Wilson has been held under 20 points four times—more than the three times she was held under 20 during the entire 2024 regular season. While her individual numbers remain decent, her team is 4-3 and coming off humiliating losses. As one critic observed, “When you’re supposedly the best player in the league, you don’t get to disappear when your team needs you most.”

The eye test is even more damning. Watching Wilson now, you see a player pressing, trying to do too much because she knows her supporting cast isn’t championship caliber. She’s putting up stats, but on a sinking ship. After the Valkyries loss, Wilson admitted the team lacked a “championship locker room” from the start of training camp, saying, “I was like, we ain’t got it.” But as the face of the franchise and supposed leader, isn’t it her job to create that culture? The buck stops with her, and right now, she’s failing to elevate her squad.

Some have gone as far as comparing Wilson to Ronda Rousey, suggesting that when competition was weaker, she looked like a megastar, but with rising talent in the WNBA, she’s appearing mediocre. While harsh, this critique underscores a growing sentiment: Wilson may have been getting credit for championships that Plum was equally responsible for. Now, with all the pressure squarely on her shoulders as the undisputed number one option, she’s struggling to carry the load alone.

The Aces’ Systemic Failure: A Culture in Crisis

The Aces’ loss to the Valkyries isn’t just a bad game; it’s a complete system failure that started the moment Plum walked out the door. The team got comfortable, assuming Wilson’s individual brilliance and new additions like Jewel Lloyd would be enough to maintain their dominance. They were dead wrong. Lloyd, acquired in the Plum trade, is averaging a pitiful 6 points per game and shooting 12.5% from the field through seven games—a catastrophic downgrade. Dynasties aren’t built on individual talent alone; they require chemistry, culture, and complementary pieces. The Aces had that with Plum, who could score when Wilson was in foul trouble, facilitate when the offense stagnated, and bring competitive fire. Without her, they’re a shell of their former selves.

Coach Hammon’s post-game comments revealed deeper issues. She criticized the team for being “really soft mentally,” letting opponents “punk us, hit us, grab us” while whining instead of buckling down. She emphasized that effort comes from the heart, and right now, the Aces have both a “heart issue” and a “head issue.” When a championship team’s coach has to question effort, it’s clear the winning culture has eroded. Plum was a major part of that culture, and her absence has left a void that no amount of individual accolades can fill.

Kelsey Plum’s Return: A Looming Showdown

The basketball gods have a sense of humor, as the Aces are set to host the Sparks on June 11th. This will be Plum’s first return to Las Vegas as an opponent since the trade. While the Aces gave her a tribute video and standing ovation earlier this season, this game carries a different weight. Plum isn’t just returning as a former teammate; she’s coming back as the leader of a team playing better basketball than the dynasty she left behind. Averaging more points than Wilson and leading more effectively, she’s proving she may have been the real engine behind those championship runs.

When asked about adjusting to Los Angeles, Plum joked about DoorDash being more expensive—a relaxed, confident attitude contrasting sharply with Wilson’s visible frustration and the Aces’ struggles. This matchup isn’t just a game; it’s a chance for Plum to show the Aces what they lost. As one commentator put it, “She knew that individual talent without the right supporting cast is just empty calories. She knew dynasties are about more than one player, no matter how many MVP trophies they have.”

Conclusion: A Lesson in Team Building

The Las Vegas Aces made a catastrophic mistake in trading Kelsey Plum, prioritizing individual narratives over the championship culture that made them special. Plum’s success with the Sparks—breaking records and earning MVP buzz—proves she was the secret ingredient all along. Meanwhile, A’ja Wilson struggles under the pressure of being the sole star, and the Aces crumble with embarrassing losses like the 27-point defeat to the Valkyries. This isn’t just instant karma; it’s a harsh lesson in team building. Championships aren’t won by individuals; they’re won by teams. Right now, only one of these former teammates understands that fundamental truth. What do you think? Did the Aces make the biggest mistake in franchise history by letting Plum go? Share your thoughts below.

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