Sep 18, 2022; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with head coach Becky Hammond after winning the WNBA Championship in game four of the 2022 WNBA Finals against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2022; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with head coach Becky Hammond after winning the WNBA Championship in game four of the 2022 WNBA Finals against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Four-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson praised Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon after the latter's significant achievement as head coach on Sunday.
Hammon won her 150th game with the Aces with their 91-81 win against the Golden State Valkyries. Veteran A'ja Wilson, who has been the face of the Aces and a WNBA icon, reacted to Hammon's achievement, saying:
"I would run through a brick wall for Becky, as well. She instills so much power in us, so much confidence in us, and I think that's one of the reasons why I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get her wins."
Wilson elaborated on Hammon's key skill in building the Aces, adding:
"She has poured herself into us, which allows us to be true to ourselves." She said, "That is just a sign of a great coach. I've been coached by phenomenal women...men as well, but when it comes to Beck...she gives you so much grace."
Becky Hammon has won 150 of 205 games as Aces coach, becoming the second-fastest to reach the milestone. She is only outclassed by Van Chancellor, who achieved this feat in 198 games with the Houston Comets in the late 90s.
"I get 150 with some of the greatest human beings to ever play," Hammon emotionally said about her achievement. "I love them…You hear it time in and time out that a player would run through a wall for their coach, but this coach would run through a wall for them."
Hammon has won three championships with the Aces with A'ja Wilson by her side, winning in 2022, 2023, and last year as well.
Becky Hammon Points Out Key Area For Aces' Progress
Hammon's 150th win with the team will surely boost confidence among the coaching staff and the players, especially after two straight losses to the Dallas Wings and the Los Angeles Sparks.
May 28, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on during the first half against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
May 28, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on during the first half against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
After the win against the Valkyries, Hammon also gave an assessment of where she feels the team stands eight games into the 2026 season.
"We're still figuring it out. We're still growing," she said. "You have to get really short up and sturdy in who you're going to be, and we've been working really hard on our defense. And we're going to continue to work on that."
The Aces will play the LA Sparks next, going face-to-face for the third time already this season. The first game was dominantly won by the Aces 105-78, but the LA Sparks took revenge in the second, winning 101-95.
The Aces have a 5-3 record going into that game, while the LA are 4-4, having lost their last game against the Connecticut Sun.
A'ja Wilson has been in spectacular form up to now, averaging 24.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and two blocks per game. Moreover, the Aces have won five of six away games, and could make it six of seven on Tuesday.
Read More at Her Sports Nation!
Written by
Dhruv Singh
Edited by
Yask Kotak