If someone told you the Washington Mystics, who were missing their star Brittney Sykes, while being 8 to just 8 active players, would dominate A’ja Wilson’s Las Vegas Aces and build a 22-point lead on their way to a 94-83 win at Michelob Ultra Arena. How would you have reacted? You’d probably think this was a joke, right? But that’s exactly what went down. In one of the most shocking results of the season, the depleted Mystics pulled off the unthinkable. To say Becky Hammon was furious after the game would be putting it mildly.
It was all Mystics from start to finish. Despite missing their top scorer, Brittney Sykes, Washington delivered a complete team performance. Sonia Citron, Sug Sutton, and Lucy Olsen stepped up big time, leaving the Aces with no answers. Citron got 21 points while Sutton and Olsen chipped in with 31 valuable points. This win helped them take their record to a respectable 8-8, and their rich run of form continued! They are now 3 games unbeaten!
While the Mystics were in celebratory mood, the Aces were left picking up the pieces. Now sitting at 7-8, doubts are growing over the impact of trading away Kelsey Plum. The Aces were outrebounded by seven and committed a staggering 24 fouls. Coach Becky Hammon was far from happy.
In the postgame press conference, Becky Hammon was visibly frustrated with how her side played. She let them know, saying, “I’m talking about basic stuff. Number one: compete. Compete hard. Do your job. Know your job. Do your job. Then I’m talking about screening people. Screen. When you’re on offense, go hit somebody. When you’re on defense, go hit somebody. Go block out. And pick and roll. Somebody goes under? Re-screen them. I mean, seems very elementary. And like I said, that’s why we’ll continue to drown here in two feet of water.”
Becky Hammon displeased with the Aces
“We’re going to continue to drown in two feet of water.” pic.twitter.com/GagWysUEx5
— Moreau Sports Media Prod Co. (@MoreauSportsCo) June 27, 2025
The Mystics shot a staggering 52.4% from deep, a clear sign of the open looks they were getting all game. To make matters worse, the Aces handed over 19 points off just 9 turnovers. It felt like even the basics were missing. It’s not a surprise to see Coach Becky Hammon so frustrated with A’ja Wilson and co. They have been very poor this season, and this reaction was bound to happen.
The Aces currently rank 9th in the league in both points scored per game (80.7) and points allowed per game (82.1). Horrendous numbers! Not exactly the kind of numbers you’d expect from a team that won back-to-back championships just two seasons ago. A’ja Wilson and co have to do better!
A’ja Wilson continues to be a shining light in an otherwise rocky season for the Aces. She just can’t stop rewriting the history books. She has now created another record which won’t be easy to break! Let’s take a look at that!
A’ja Wilson breaks another record!
Before heading into the game against the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday, A’ja Wilson knew that she needed just seven points to etch her name in the history books once again. The reigning 3x MVP became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 5,000 career points. An incredible achievement for an incredible player! Wilson reached the feat 4 games less than Liberty’s Breanna Stewart.
Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) celebrates after scoring in the fourth quarter against the New York Liberty during game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
She needed just 238 games. Wilson also became the second-youngest player in WNBA history to reach 5,000 career points–behind Lauren Jackson. “It meant a lot to me. It’s been a special, special season for us,” Wilson said. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs. But when you can hit a milestone like this in a league like this, I can’t let it go unnoticed, so I’m grateful, I’m blessed.”
It remains to be seen if the Aces improve from here onwards. It’s clear that Wilson alone can’t help them win. Will the support cast of Jackie Young, Jewell Loyd, and Chelsea Gray step up? Well, it remains to be seen. Do you still see them as legitimate title contenders? Let us know in the comments below!
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