For the first time in league history, preseason games will be televised; the league announced this on Monday, April 28. The preseason matchup between the Dallas Wings and Las Vegas Aces will be televised free on WNBA League Pass and ION tonight at 7:00 pm ET. Two teams that look different from the previous year.
The Aces lost key players to free agency in one blockbuster trade. That trade sent three-time All-Star, two-time champion Kelsey Plum to Los Angeles and the Aces gained Jewell Loyd from Seattle. Other key pieces for the Aces that left or got traded: Kate Martin (Traded to Golden State Valkyries), Sydney Colson (Indiana Fever), Alysha Clark (Seattle Storm), and Tiffany Hayes (Golden State Valkyries).
The bad news doesn’t end there. It was announced this week that Megan Gustafson sustained a lower left leg injury and will be sidelined indefinitely, per the team. Updates about her injury will be provided. Losing Gustafson before the season starts is another blow for the Aces.
A player who contributed in every category for the Aces last year, she wasn’t an explosive offensive weapon. However, she did everything to help the team win. Gustafson shot 50% from the field, played 38 games last season and averaged 10.7 minutes per game.
Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces
The Dallas Wings have an exciting season coming up, drafting the No. 1 pick overall, Paige Bueckers from the University of Connecticut. DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, Myisha Hines-Allen, Tyasha Harris and new head coach, Chris Koclanes are other additions. A completely new team that has to adapt to each other and the new coaching system.
The Wings fans are excited for this new duo, Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale, so much so that they have given them the nickname Parike.
The same goes for Las Vegas, where most of the core is no longer with the team. There are new teammates, new personalities, and new habits everyone has to adapt to. Las Vegas also has a new duo, A’ja Wilson and Loyd.
In previous matchups, Las Vegas has beaten the Wings with ease and in tonight’s matchup, it would be a much different outcome having young and veteran pieces for the Wings.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the world of sports.
