Smith leaves Aces' game vs Tempo due to injury
The WNBA Showtime crew takes a look at the Las Vegas Aces' win over the Toronto Tempo, which was slightly marred by NaLyssa Smith's exit from the game due to injury.
Video Transcript
Let's get into the action taking place Sunday night.
Las Vegas Aces taking on the Toronto Tempo, and some tough news coming for the Aces.
As you see right there, Napheesa Smith going down with a leg injury.
She would leave the game and then not return.
She started all 37 games for the Aces so far this season, and that could be a big loss for the Aces, Cheryl.
A huge loss.
She came into the season, Sue, as you know, in tremendous shape.
She has been their backbone, their size, their anchor in the middle, and you know, not being able to move forward with her could be devastating.
It really could.
The, the one position where the Aces aren't particularly deep is in the post.
It puts a lot of pressure now, you know, if she's out, on Cheyenne Parker, Tyus, on Breezy Turner.
You know, two players that have experience, but not championship experience like Napheesa Smith.
Absolutely.
Well, they do get the win against the Tempo.
A'ja Wilson had 27 points.
But ultimately they do have an easy schedule to close out the season.
They do not face a team that is above 500, so that could be good news.
But when you're talking about a team that is looking to defend a title, losing a player like this at this point in the season is something that's difficult to overcome, Sue.
And you've been in locker rooms before where you're fighting through something like this over the course of a long season.
I mean, how, if you're the Aces, if you're A'ja Wilson, if you're that team, how do you battle back through it?
It's not gonna be easy.
Mm-hmm.
Just given the amount of time left.
Mm-hmm.
Of course, the international- Sure break might help them- Yeah in some sense.
They might be able to practice more together.
But there's not a lot of time to figure out who's gonna replace Napheesa Smith.
And that'll be the difficult part.
But I mean, if there's one player, I'm sorry, one coach that could do it, it's Becky Hammon.
Oh, Becky Hammon.
Sure.
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
She could Hopefully they can find, Hopefully they don't have to use that- Mm-hmm, right as an option.
W- you know, wishing, wishing her the best, but yeah, Becky Hammon, if there is anyone that can pull a bunny out of the hat, it's her.
Yeah.
Well, we'll see.
Napheesa Smith, again, averaging 11 points per game, 58%- from the field.
A big part of this team and what they were looking forward to do this season, and hoping to continue to do.
The next time they will take the floor, though, will be on Friday, and we will await the news on Napheesa Smith.
