5 Bold Predictions for the Las Vegas Aces' 2026 Season
The Las Vegas Aces have built a WNBA dynasty, winning three of the past four league championships. Now, with an even bigger target on their back and a chance at a fourth title, the Aces will have to make some adjustments.
They've retained their core players, all of whom have played key roles in their success. Four-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson re-signed with the team on the largest supermax extension in league history after the recent collective bargaining agreement, and the Aces added mercurial guard Chennedy Carter to their training camp roster – a move that could not only strengthen their backcourt but help revitalize her career.
The Aces have a lot to look forward to this season. Here are five specific predictions for the 2026 campaign.
Aces Will Win at Least Nine of Their First 10 Games
Let's get the biggest question out of the way.
Last season, the Aces opened the season 5-5 through the first 10 games for the second straight year, and they sat below .500 at the All-Star break, mostly due to early adjustments with new additions and roster changes.
The Aces won't have the luxury of easing into this season. After a Finals rematch in their home opener against the Phoenix Mercury, the Aces play seven of their next nine games on the road. Their schedule is far from simple, but unlike last year, they shouldn't need time to figure things out.
This season, with a more established core and defined roles, those issues shouldn't carry over. Now, the Aces are in position to take a different approach. Instead of playing catch-up, they'll rely on improved late-game execution to close out tight matchups, turning last season's close losses into early wins.
A'ja Wilson's Scoring Will Dip, but Rebounding, Rim Protection Will Reach New Highs
Widely regarded as the best player in women's basketball, A'ja Wilson last season became the first player in WNBA history to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP and the scoring title in the same season. But this season, her impact won't require the same offensive intensity.
During last year's slow start, Wilson took accountability by pointing out a lack of leadership as the team's biggest problem. At the same time, she carried a significant amount of the Aces' offensive load, averaging 23.4 points per game. With a more established core and improved chemistry, that responsibility can shift to some degree.
This season, her scoring average could dip slightly due to teammates taking on more offensive responsibility. However, her overall impact will remain impeccable. After leading the league last year with 2.3 blocks per game and averaging 10.2 rebounds, she's likely to boost those numbers by pushing toward 12 rebounds and three blocks per game. Instead of having to carry the offense, Wilson's presence will be felt more on the defensive end, specifically in regard to rim protection.
Chennedy Carter Will Be Aces' X-Factor
The Aces signed Chennedy Carter last month to address a lack of bench depth - a move that could determine how reliable the back end of their rotation becomes this season.
Carter played overseas last season, using the time to refocus and refine her game following past controversy - including an infamous hard foul on Caitlin Clark - during her time with the Chicago Sky.
Carter is no stranger to bouncing back. After being waived in 2023, she returned in 2024 with the Sky and enjoyed the best season of her career, averaging a career-high 17.5 points per game. Now, she enters a new opportunity with a champion-caliber team.
If Carter can play consistently and avoid the distractions that have affected her in the past, she can give the Aces an offensive boost off the bench and add another layer to their scoring attack. But if those concerns resurface, any absence would leave a noticeable gap as the season progresses.
Kierstan Bell Will Average Double Figures in Scoring
Kierstan Bell emerged as a starter midway through last season but struggled to find consistency as her minutes varied. Off the court, she grieved the death of a close friend and her father, adding to the challenges she faced throughout the season.
Despite that, Bell regained her confidence and found her rhythm late in the season, going on to start all 12 playoff games and showing her ability to contribute in high-intensity moments. This season, Bell is positioned to take on an even larger role as she builds on that late-season momentum. With her continued development on the court, she'll also emerge as a more consistent and reliable presence in the Aces' rotation.
Record Prediction: 30-14
The Aces proved in the past two seasons that they can recover from slow starts. In 2024, they started 5-5 but finished 27-13. Last year, they started 5-7 but finished 30-14. That late surge in '25 boosted their championship pursuit, but it also pointed out how much ground they had to make up early.
For better or worse, this team has learned that it doesn't need to secure the top seed to win the title. It would make sense if the Aces save some of their energy for the postseason instead of chasing regular-season wins. We're picking another 30-14 result.
Related: WNBA's Biggest Stars: Ranking the Most Popular Players in the League
Related: WNBA vs. NBA: Key Differences, Similarities Between the Leagues
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 3:23 PM.