Becky Hammon Blasts Aces After Another Tough Loss

Becky Hammon blasted her Las Vegas Aces team following another rough loss to the Dallas Wings.

Aug 25, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon (L) argues a call against her team with official Tim Greene (R) during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports / Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Aces have issues. And coach Becky Hammon was not shy in addressing some of them. Hammon blasted her team for a lack of focus and effort following a loss to the Dallas Wings, the team's fifth loss in seven games.

Hammon accused her squad of failing to do the little things and allowing the opponents to get comfortable.

Hammon stated, "At some point people have to take accountability. I'm sorry. But you have to be up in pick and roll...you have to block out your man...like when you know exactly what the other team needs to do and you can't handle it, that's concerning."

When asked how those issues can be resolved, the Aces coach was emphatic. "I can't make them do it. They have to do it. What am I gonna do, pull them out?" She added that the sentiment went for every player she put on the floor.

Becky Hammon: At some point, this team needs to take accountability you have to be up on the pick & roll, you gotta box out if you can't do that then that's concerning

Reporter: How do you address those concerns

Becky Hammon: I can't make them do it, what am I gonna do pic.twitter.com/QWQdx3XuBm

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) August 28, 2024

This came in a game that saw star A'ja Wilson dominate offensively to the tune of 42 points on 16-22 shooting. But the Aces could not stop the Wings on the other side of the ball. Satou Sabally scored 28 points on 10-14 shooting herself and her teammates Natasha Howard and Arike Ogunbowale added 24 and 20 points respectively.

The struggles for Las Vegas are particularly noteworthy given they are the back-to-back defending WNBA champions. But also since a huge chunk of their roster is made up of Olympians. Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and Chelsea Gray all played for Team USA. While Megan Gustafson starred for Spain and Tiffany Hayes suited up for Azerbiajan.

Despite many recognizable names, the results have been discouraging for the Aces. The defense in particular has been noticeably lacking, especially in the backcourt. Las Vegas was also crushed on the boards by Dallas.

However, Hammon doesn't seem to be blaming personnel or talent for the problems, but effort.