Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon entered the 2025 regular season with aspirations for a championship. Determined to add another title to the team, she made a bold offseason move. The HC acquired 2015 No. 1 overall pick Jewell Loyd in a high-profile three-team trade to solidify their game. But as the season dawned on the franchise, so did the severity of Hammon’s gamble.With superstar A’ja Wilson sidelined under concussion protocol, the Aces leaned heavily on Loyd to carry the load. However, the results have been far from ideal. Despite averaging a modest 11.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, Loyd has struggled to live up to expectations. Her inability to find a consistent rhythm on the floor has only magnified the team’s growing concerns. And the pressure is mounting with each game.Meadowlark Media reporter Lucy Rohden joined co-hosts Ros Gold-Onwude and Logan Hackett on The Good Follow podcast. “You’re dead last in the league in assists,” Lucy said, referring to the Aces. She continued, “This is a team that has had such a solidified identity for the past few years that just feels kind of out of it. But at the same time, despite two powerful performances from Jewell for the last two games, before that was deeply unpleasant.” Lucy Rohden responded to a fan’s question about whether Jewell Loyd is a poor fit for the Las Vegas Aces.WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA 2024: Aces vs Sun SEP 06 September 6, 2024: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon reacts during a WNBA game between the Las Vegas Aces and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Erica Denhoff/CSM Credit Image: Â Erica Denhoff/Cal Media Uncasville Connecticut United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20240906_zma_c04_161.jpg EricaxDenhoffx csmphotothree307077It is safe to say that she didn’t hold back. Before diving into the player’s performance, she turned to the team and exposed deeper issues within the roster. She highlighted Loyd’s underwhelming performances against the Los Angeles Sparks and the Golden State Valkyries, where the guard tallied just 7 points and 5 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist, respectively.Moreover, the discussion around Loyd’s fit only intensified as head coach Becky Hammon issued a hardline locker room message. She conveyed Loyd’s thoughts on being moved to the bench. As shocking as this may sound, it is the reality of the Aces, who are hoping for guards Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray to navigate the locker room through the season. On the other hand, Wilson had been rallying the team through defences and offences before the incident. Wilson averaged 20.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4 assists this season.Though the Aces bounced back with an 88–84 win over the Dallas Wings, the concerns regarding the Seattle Storm lingered within the locker room. “When you’re in a situation where Becky Hammond is coming out and saying Jewell has actually asked if she can be moved to the bench so she can come off, you don’t want to hear that,” Lucy said. “Especially with how much money you’re paying. Like, that’s never a good sign.”Besides the veteran’s glaring statistics, she is currently under a $249,032 contract that the Storm carried forward. The reporter also noted a sharp decline in her field goal percentage over the years, from 41.1% in 2015 to just 36% in 2024. Coupled with the inability to mesh with the locker room, Aces’ chances of renewing the contract look bleak. And are indeed a bad fit.Becky Hammon and Las Vegas Aces cooked up a StormAfter a crushing 102-82 blow against the Seattle Storm in game one, the Las Vegas Aces managed to change the script and how! The 5th team in the 2025 Western Conference standings clawed their way back in the game with a narrow yet promising 70-75 win against the Storm in game two.The resilient roster showed up and provided a clear message: they are here to win. “It’s bigger than what we may be expecting, and we’ve got all those standards.” At least that’s what A’ja Wilson said after they devoured the opponents. The roster relentlessly shot 45.7% from the field and 48% from three before accomplishing what they set out for. As of now.Averaging 33.4 rebounds and 4.5 blocks against the green and yellow jerseys, can the Aces stamp another victory as they face Seattle Storm in game three? Or will the absence of A’ja Wilson, Megan Gustafson, and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus loom heavy on Becky Hammon and the team? Nonetheless, the showdown in the Michelob Ultra Arena will be worth watching out for.The post A’ja Wilson’s Teammate on Shaky Ground Amid LV Aces HC’s Hardline Locker Room Call, Says Reporter appeared first on EssentiallySports.