What's next for Aces? After title defense falls short, Jackie Young's impending free agency looms large

The Las Vegas guard, who had a career year in 2026, has a big decision to make this offseason In the closing seconds of regulation on Friday night, after the Las Vegas Aces' 11-point lead had melted away, Chelsea Gray took a handoff from A'ja Wilson, drove to her favorite spot on the elbow and put up her patented fadeaway jumper. It floated up, hit the back of the rim and the front of the rim, then spun out, sending the game to overtime. That turned out to be the last gasp for the Aces. They scored six points in the extra frame in an eventual 87-77 loss to the Golden State Valkyries in Game 3 of their semifinal series.

The defeat cemented a three-game sweep — the first time the Aces have been swept since 2020 — and ended their quest for a second repeat and fourth overall championship in the last five seasons. It was fitting that they lost to the Valkyries, who were led by former assistant coach Natalie Nakase, and had Kiah Stokes starting at center and Tiffany Hayes running their bench unit. Nakase won two titles while sitting next to Becky Hammon, while Stokes was a part of all three of the Aces' title teams before they let her walk in the offseason. Hayes was