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Aces channel 'embarrassment' of Fever loss into Connecticut win

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The Las Vegas Aces were "embarrassed" by their heavy 81-54 defeat to the Indiana Fever on Thursday and channelled that feeling into Sunday's win over the Connecticut Sun.

That is according to A'ja Wilson, who contributed 19 points as the Aces bounced back with an 86-68 victory at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon accused her players of showing "a complete lack of professionalism" against Indiana, and Wilson says her teammates were desperate to put things right in Connecticut.

"We got embarrassed against Indiana," said three-time MVP Wilson. "We understood that we didn't want to go down that road any more. 

"We get tired of being in that space. So for this game, and hopefully moving forward, we found our joy in the game. 

"Particularly at the defensive end, we got stops. That's how we got rocking and rolling, and that's what we're going to have to continue to do."

The Aces now hold a 9-9 record and sit fifth in the Western Conference standings, marginally behind the Golden State Valkyries (9-8).

Seven of Las Vegas' defeats have come in their last 12 games, but Hammon emphasised that they are still adapting to a number of personnel changes, having added the likes of Jewell Loyd and NaLyssa Smith since their run to the playoff semifinals in 2024.

"I think people take for granted how many new pieces we have," Hammon said. "We have to teach all over again. It's all brand new, it's been a process. 

"Every team goes at a different pace. I think right now, you just continue to teach and continue to demand that effort.

"We're still developing who we are, the identity of this team, but we're getting there, crawling.

"I would like to be walking or striding at this point, but as long as we're moving in the right direction and I'm seeing progress, I'm happy with that."