The Las Vegas Aces have been on a roll recently. With the likes of Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson putting up impressive performances, the team has been on a dream run. However, apart from the star players, one more person is pretty much holding the aces for Vegas. And that is none other than the head coach, Becky Hammon. The Aces head coach has never been the one to sugarcoat her feelings. Hammon blasted her team after a blowout loss to the Fever back in July.
With the team looking to get a deep playoff run, the Aces had a wonderful outing first off. However, despite the win, she has expressed her frustrations with the WNBA playoff format. Hammon even gave examples to explain how the 1-1-1 format can be a tricky one for the teams.
Becky Hammon Unhappy With The Best-of-Three Playoff Format
The Aces put up a stellar show in their first playoff game. They beat the Storm convincingly with a scoreline of 102-77. Following the victory, Hammon was asked about the best-of-three format that will be followed this year in the first round playoff games. And straightaway, the Aces head coach pointed out that she was not a fan.
“I don’t like it. You look at a team like Phoenix, they have, you know, dropping that one, they’re going to have all the pressure in the, I mean, unbelievably tough to now have to fly to New York. And New York has a tough one, flying to Phoenix, back to New York, potentially back to Phoenix,” said Hammon.
Pregame goods from me:
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) September 15, 2025
1) Becky Hammon's thoughts on the 1-1-1 playoff format
2) Noelle Quinn on trying to counter teams stashing bigger wings on Skylar Diggins (0:47 mark) pic.twitter.com/5iaGJdXP47
For the uninitiated, the format this year will see the higher-seeded teams hosting Game 1 and 3. On the contrary, their opponents will be hosting Game 2. And according to Hammon, this is quite a hectic scenario to deal with for the teams. Now then, she might be upset about the format, but professionally, the Aces head coach is flourishing. Owing to a scintillating 12-game run, Hammon won the Coach of the Month in August. But overlooking her personal accomplishments, Hammon seems more interested in backing A’ja Wilson for an MVP run.
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A’ja Wilson Backed Heavily By Becky Hammon For The WNBA MVP
Wilson has been a standout performer for the Aces. Having already won the MVP award thrice, Wilson will look to consolidate her position as a true icon by winning it the fourth time. And endorsing her the loudest is none other than her coach, Hammon. Back in late August, after Wilson led the Aces to a solid win against the Washington Mystics, Hammon did not hold back in her admiration of the three-time WNBA MVP.
“Anytime a media person has to ask a question, ‘who’s as good as A’ja Wilson,’ that’s where you start with the conversation, that’s your answer. That’s your answer. She’s top three in every major statistical category, but most importantly, efficiency. She’s number one in efficiency. And to me, people need to do that kind of homework,” Hammon said.
Surely, it is evident that Hammon is utterly impressed with what Wilson is doing. In their playoff game against the Storm too, Wilson led the way with 29 points. Thus, with things looking rosy, fans are now excited to see how things pan out next.