NaLyssa Smith wasted no time showing why the Las Vegas Aces traded for her, delivering a double-double in her first start with the team in Sunday’s 86-68 road win over the Connecticut Sun.
Smith finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals on 71.4% shooting, helping the Aces secure a much-needed win after a disastrous loss in Indianapolis on Thursday. It was only her second game since joining Las Vegas on June 30, but she already looked comfortable in the role they envisioned for her: a high-energy, versatile forward who does the dirty work and lets the stars shine.
She was a pleasant surprise in each quarter, starting strong in the first with tough post action alongside A’ja Wilson. Smith’s early scoring and rebounding helped the Aces claim a 16–12 lead after one. Even when Vegas struggled for rhythm early in the second quarter, she remained a bright spot, contributing with nine first-half points while pulling down six rebounds by halftime as the Aces took a 43–28 advantage into the locker room.
After the break, Smith turned up her rebounding even more. She was relentless on the glass, grabbing defensive boards and pushing the pace in transition. Her hustle created extra offensive opportunities and helped maintain Vegas’ hot shooting, which hit 57% at one point. Defensively, she was aggressive, reading passing lanes for steals while holding her own against Connecticut’s formidable frontcourt.
“Rebounding is always something that I take pride in, and it’s something that I want to always improve in,” Smith said postgame. “So I think that’s just the thing, is when I see the shot go up, I was going to be the first to the board.”
Sunday’s performance was more than just effort, it also reflected growing comfort and chemistry with her new team. Smith said her teammates made it easy to settle in quickly.
“The second day I got here, they was like, ‘Be ready to get the ball, because you're gonna get it. We want to pass you the ball. We respect you. We respect your game,’” she said. “So it just feels good to be respected here.
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime to start on a team like this.”
In just her first start, Smith looked the part. If this performance is any indication, the trade is already paying off. And for the Aces, her potential ceiling is exactly what they hoped for: a talented young player ready to take the next step on a championship-caliber team.