NaLyssa Smith had found a role in Las Vegas that brought out the best version of her game. She was scoring efficiently, rebounding consistently and giving the Aces another physical frontcourt presence next to A’ja Wilson.
The Aces announced Thursday that Smith will miss the remainder of the season with a left leg injury suffered Sunday against Toronto. Smith started all 38 games she played this season and averaged 11.7 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting a career-best 63.8 percent from the field.
Her absence leaves Aces coach Becky Hammon with an immediate frontcourt decision. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Brianna Turner are the clearest internal candidates to absorb Smith’s starting role and minutes.
Smith found her fit
Smith entered the WNBA as the No. 2 overall pick in 2022 and produced immediately in Indiana. She averaged 13.5 points and 7.9 rebounds as a rookie, then reached career highs of 15.5 points and 9.2 rebounds in 2023.
Her production declined over the next two seasons before Las Vegas acquired her from Dallas on June 30, 2025, for a 2027 first-round pick. Smith had averaged 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds in 18 games with Dallas before the trade.
Her efficiency changed almost immediately with the Aces. Smith averaged 8.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 27 games for Las Vegas that season while shooting 55.6 percent from the field.
That growth carried into 2026. Smith made 183 of 287 field-goal attempts, pushing her shooting percentage to 63.8 while averaging 11.7 points on only 7.6 shots per game.
She did not need a high-volume offensive role to make an impact. Smith could finish around the basket, attack the offensive glass and capitalize when defenses shifted attention toward Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray.
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray celebrates with forward NaLyssa Smith after Gray scored the game-winning basket against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Smith will miss the rest of the season with a left leg injury after becoming a key part of the Aces’ frontcourt. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
A season ends suddenly
Smith was putting together another efficient performance when she went down Sunday in Vancouver. She had eight points, eight rebounds, three steals and a block in 19 minutes while making all four of her field-goal attempts.
Her left leg buckled as she planted with about 3:15 remaining in the third quarter. Smith needed assistance and did not return to Las Vegas’ 88-78 victory over Toronto.
The Aces had no medical update immediately after the game. Wilson instead described how difficult it was to watch Smith go down.
“The emotions are what they’re going to be when you lose a sister to an injury,” Wilson said.
Wilson called Smith “a soldier” and said the Aces would stay beside her throughout the process. She also acknowledged how hard the moment hit her personally.
“I cried my eyes out because it’s something you never want to see,” Wilson said.
Four days later, Las Vegas confirmed Smith’s season was over.
Parker-Tyus offers offense
Parker-Tyus gives Hammon the most natural offensive option if Las Vegas wants to replace Smith in the starting five. Her season has been interrupted by concussion protocol, but her recent play suggests she was beginning to regain her rhythm before Smith went down.
That was clearest against Connecticut on Thursday, Aug. 20. Parker-Tyus scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds in 15 minutes, including six rebounds on the offensive glass.
She gives Las Vegas another experienced scorer around the paint and a rebounder who can create second possessions. Parker-Tyus also offers more offensive punch than Turner without requiring the same volume of touches as Wilson or Young.
The bigger question is workload. Parker-Tyus has been working her way back into the rotation after missing time, and replacing Smith could require a significant increase in minutes.
Turner brings defense
Turner gives Hammon a different option. Her value leans more toward defense, rebounding and handling physical frontcourt assignments.
That could make Turner an attractive starting choice if Hammon wants to keep Parker-Tyus as an offensive option with the second unit. It would also allow Las Vegas to preserve some lineup balance instead of asking one player to replace every part of Smith’s role.
The solution could involve both. Turner can absorb more defensive responsibility, while Parker-Tyus takes on a larger share of the scoring and rebounding work Smith leaves behind.
Stephanie Talbot gives Hammon another option when Las Vegas wants to play smaller. Her versatility allows the Aces to change matchups without committing to one replacement formula.
More than one replacement
Smith’s absence creates more than a vacancy in the starting lineup. Las Vegas is losing an efficient finisher, a rebounder and a player who had learned how to make an impact without dominating possessions.
Smith averaged 2.2 offensive rebounds per game this season, matching the best mark of her career. She also averaged fewer than one turnover per game while producing the most efficient shooting season of her five-year career.
Those traits will be difficult for one player to replace. Parker-Tyus can provide more offense, Turner can strengthen the defense, and Talbot can give Hammon more lineup flexibility.
Las Vegas gets its first look at the new frontcourt Friday, Aug. 28, when Toronto visits Michelob ULTRA Arena. The Aces then have the FIBA break before finishing the regular season and preparing for the playoffs.
Smith’s season ended just as her Las Vegas tenure appeared to be reaching another level. The Aces now have to determine how to replace one of their most efficient players when the games matter most.
Up next
Las Vegas hosts the Toronto Tempo on Friday, Aug. 28, at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
