On Wednesday, A’Ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and the Las Vegas Aces moved to 4-1 on the young 2024 WNBA season after an 80-66 win over the Minnesota Lynx.
Wilson had an incredible game, scoring 29 points on 11 of 23 shooting, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out three assists. She also dominated on the defensive side of the ball, tallying four blocks and two steals. Plum added 10 points and six assists.
After the game, Aces coach Becky Hammon sat down with Wilson for a postgame interview. A reporter asked Hammon about the parity of the league, and she responded, refusing to give credit to Caitlin Clark for the popularity of the WNBA.
“Well, I think there is a lot of good players in this league. If you’re just a recent follower of women’s basketball, this has been brewing for a while,” Hammon said, “Women’s basketball has been at this boiling point. Building, building, building. And, you know, our arena was sold out long before Caitlin Clark was coming into the league.”
Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon at press conference during game one of the 2023 WNBA Semifinals against the Dallas Wings at Michelob Ultra Arena. The Aces defeated the Wings 97-83.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Aces have sold out 15 of their 20 home games in the 2024 WNBA season, the most in the league.
Hammon continued, “I think women’s basketball has just been building. She’s (Clark) a part of the tipping point. She’s coming in at this time where it was ready to tip over and her presence has tipped some things over. But there has been a lot of other things going on behind the scenes to get us to this point by a lot of other people.”
Caitlin Clark, the Iowa Hawkeye turned Indiana Fever superstar, has captivated millions of new fans, significantly boosting the WNBA’s overall viewership numbers.
“I think Caitlin is very gracious to mention those names too and understanding that the women that came before her to pave the way for this tipping point and this great time to be a women’s basketball player,” Hammon finished.
The full interview was posted on social media.
“Idk who needs to hear this but Becky said what needed to be said.”
The Aces will travel to Atlanta to take on the Dream on Friday, May 31.