Full Breakdown
Las Vegas Aces Enter 2026 Season as Defending Champions Amid New CBA Landscape
5/9/2026, 11:01:10 AM
Opening Night Showdown: Aces vs. Mercury
The Las Vegas Aces open the 2026 WNBA season on May 9 at T-Mobile Arena, hosting the Phoenix Mercury in a rematch of the 2025 Finals. A pre-game ceremony will present the Aces’ championship rings, the third set for the franchise’s players and staff.
A’ja Wilson: Contract, MVP Odds, and Legacy
Forward A’ja Wilson signed a three-year deal worth $5 million, the league’s highest total under the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that sets the 2026 individual maximum at $1.4 million. Wilson entered the season as the preseason favorite for a fifth MVP award, listed at +220 odds by DraftKings and receiving the most MVP votes from league general managers (60%). If she repeats, Wilson would become the first player to win three consecutive MVPs, adding to her record-tying four career MVPs.
Team Outlook and Roster
Coach Becky Hammon confirmed a starting five of Wilson, guard Chelsea Gray, forward Jackie Young, and newcomers forward Stephanie Talbot and NaLyssa Smith. The veteran core returns largely intact after a 16-game winning streak that closed the 2025 regular season. Phoenix counters with veteran leaders Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas, while rookie Monique Akoa Makani joins the backcourt.
League Context: New CBA, Salary Landscape, Broadcast Reach
The 2026 CBA raises the league salary cap to $7 million and the individual maximum to $1.4 million, creating three players—including Wilson—earning the top salary. The season features a record 216 nationally televised or streamed games across ABC/ESPN, CBS, NBC, ION, USA Network, Prime Video, Peacock and NBA TV. The Aces are scheduled for 33 nationally broadcast games, the fourth-most in the league.
Official Statements & Responses
Hammon emphasized preparation: “We definitely have an understanding of the opportunity and what’s in front of us.” Hall-of-Famer Cynthia Cooper predicted the Aces will reach the Finals despite a recent preseason loss, while Candace Parker projected a potential Aces-Fever Finals matchup. Bookmakers noted the Aces’ title odds at +390, trailing the New York Liberty (+220).
Criticism & Opposition
Betting markets and analysts highlight the Liberty as the favorite for the championship, suggesting the Aces may be overvalued despite their recent success. The preseason defeat to the Dallas Wings underscores concerns about the team’s consistency.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
MVP odds for Wilson fluctuated during the preseason, ranging from +220 to +265, reflecting uncertainty among sportsbooks. Title odds also vary across platforms, with no consensus on the Aces’ likelihood of repeating. Early-season performance data remain unavailable, limiting assessment of roster changes.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I like proving people wrong,” — A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces forward
- “I'm the queen of the back to back-to-back to back,” — Cynthia Cooper, Hall of Famer
- “It's Aces vs. Indiana Fever in the Finals,” — Candace Parker, Hall of Famer
- “We definitely have an understanding of the opportunity and what’s in front of us,” — Becky Hammon, Aces head coach
- “People will bet it regardless of what the price is. They just want to have a piece of the Caitlin Clark action,” — David Lieberman, Caesars Sportsbook lead
- “It's a really good book that we've got here.” — Johnny Avello, DraftKings sportsbook director
What’s Next
Following the opening game, the Aces travel to Crypto.com Arena to face the Los Angeles Sparks on May 10, then host the New York Liberty on May 12. The team’s performance in these early matchups will shape expectations for a potential third consecutive championship.
