Las Vegas Aces lose NaLyssa Smith for season to injury, a major blow to WNBA champs' repeat hopes

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Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) and Connecticut Sun forward Raegan Beers (15) battle for the ball during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) shoots between Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) and forward NaLyssa Smith (3) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP) — Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) and Connecticut Sun forward Raegan Beers (15) battle for the ball during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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1:24 PM on Thursday, August 27

By The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces said Thursday that forward NaLyssa Smith is out for the season with a left leg injury, dealing a huge blow to the defending WNBA champion's repeat hopes.

Smith suffered the non-contact injury at the 3:15 mark of the third quarter in Sunday's 88-78 win over the the Toronto Tempo.

Smith has averaged 11.8 points and 6.4 rebounds over 37 games this season and was leading the league in field goal percentage at 63.8%.

The loss of Smith will put a lot more on the shoulders of Aces star A'ja Wilson, who is in the mix to win her fifth MVP trophy while averaging 26 points and and two blocks per game this season.

The Aces entered Thursday with a 26-13 record, the third-best mark in the Western Conference behind Minnesota (31-8) and Golden State (27-11).

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