Context:

The Las Vegas Aces have had an inconsistent start to their season, with Coach Becky Hammon emphasizing the need for consistency following a recent victory over Indiana that ended a three-game losing streak. Sitting at 6-7, the Aces are under .500 for the first time since relocating to Nevada in 2018, and Hammon is optimistic about the team's potential despite periods of struggle. Caitlin Clark, experiencing a shooting slump, remains confident and aims to impact other areas of the game, while leading fan All-Star voting alongside Napheesa Collier. Hammon is also focusing on reigniting Jewell Loyd's offensive performance as the team faces critical upcoming games against Connecticut and Washington. The WNBA power poll places Minnesota at the top, with Phoenix and New York following, while Chicago's Sparks prepare to retire Candace Parker's jersey during their game against Los Angeles.

Dive Deeper:

• The Las Vegas Aces managed to snap a three-game losing streak with a victory over the Indiana Fever, a performance Coach Becky Hammon described as one of their best this season. Despite this win, the team stands at 6-7, marking a rare time they are under .500 since moving to Nevada in 2018. Hammon stresses the importance of achieving consistent performances to build trust and cohesion within the team.

• Caitlin Clark, despite a shooting slump where she hit only 1-for-17 from the 3-point arc in the past two games, remains confident in her abilities. She is a career 35% 3-point shooter and is focused on contributing to other aspects of the game while waiting for her shooting to improve. Both Clark and Napheesa Collier are leading the fan voting for the All-Star game, indicating strong engagement from fans.

• Jewell Loyd's offensive contributions have been underwhelming this season, with her averaging just 11.4 points per game, her lowest since her rookie year. Coach Hammon aims to get Loyd more involved offensively as the team prepares for a challenging schedule with upcoming games against Connecticut and Washington, followed by a five-game road trip.

• Fan engagement in the WNBA is notably high this season, with All-Star voting numbers expected to break records set in previous years. Caitlin Clark attributes this to increased excitement and involvement from fans, who feel their votes make a significant impact, enhancing the league's overall appeal.

• The current WNBA power poll ranks Minnesota as the top team, with Phoenix and New York following closely. Seattle is in fourth place, with Las Vegas trailing behind. The poll reflects the competitive nature of the league and highlights the performances of teams such as the Storm, whose forward, Nneka Ogwumike, earned Player of the Week honors.

• Chicago's Sparks are set to retire Candace Parker's jersey, making her the third player to receive such an honor from the team. This ceremony will take place during their game against Los Angeles, adding a moment of celebration to the season’s events.

• Nneka Ogwumike of Seattle earned Player of the Week honors by averaging 25.7 points, eight rebounds, and 2.3 steals, significantly contributing to the team's success in winning all three of its games last week. Her performance underscores the level of talent and competition within the league.