Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Las Vegas Aces 2022 were powered by A’ja Wilson, whose scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence made her the team’s centerpiece. Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young provided dynamic perimeter scoring, while Chelsea Gray directed the offense as the primary playmaker. The Aces paired efficient shooting with balanced scoring, strong rebounding, and active defense, receiving major contributions from a veteran core that excelled on both ends of the floor.
HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight
| Player Name | Role Tier | MPG | Usage Tier | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG + BPG) | Impact Index | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelsey Plum | Starter/Star [1.1] | 32.8 | High [1.2] | 20.2 | 2.7 | 5.1 | 1.1 | 76.6 | Dynamic lead scorer who flourished in Becky Hammon’s pace-and-space system, stretching defenses well beyond the arc while creating off the dribble. Throughout the season, analysts highlighted how her improved decision-making complemented her explosive scoring and opened driving lanes for the rest of the offense. (Sports Illustrated) | All-Star selection (2022), All-WNBA First Team (2022), All-Star Game MVP (2022), WNBA Champion (2022) |
| A’ja Wilson | Starter/Star [1.1] | 30.0 | High [1.2] | 19.5 | 9.4 | 2.1 | 3.3 | 90.0 | Franchise cornerstone who anchored the league’s best defense while remaining the primary interior scoring option. National coverage consistently described her as the emotional leader of the championship team, capable of taking over games with rim protection, rebounding, and efficient post play. (Sports Illustrated) | MVP (2022), Defensive Player of the Year (2022), All-WNBA First Team (2022), All-Defensive First Team (2022), All-Star selection (2022), WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Chelsea Gray | Starter/Star [1.1] | 29.7 | Medium [1.1] | 13.7 | 3.2 | 6.1 | 1.9 | 60.7 | Elite floor general whose patience in pick-and-roll and late-game shot creation transformed the Aces’ half-court offense. Teammates and national writers repeatedly credited her basketball IQ for elevating an already talented roster into a championship unit. (Sports Illustrated) | All-Star selection (2022), All-WNBA First Team (2022), WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Jackie Young | Starter/Star [1.1] | 33.2 | Medium [1.1] | 15.9 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 62.3 | Versatile two-way guard who took a major step forward as both a scorer and perimeter stopper. Coaches increasingly relied on her to defend the opponent’s top backcourt threat while also spacing the floor and attacking closeouts with confidence. | All-Star selection (2022), WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Dearica Hamby | Key Contributor [1.05] | 26.5 | Medium [1.1] | 9.3 | 7.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 43.0 | High-energy reserve forward whose rebounding and relentless hustle regularly changed the momentum of games. Even after injuries interrupted her season, she remained one of the league’s most impactful bench players because of her versatility and physicality. | All-Star selection (2022), WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Riquna Williams | Key Contributor [1.05] | 18.0 | Medium [1.1] | 6.7 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 24.0 | Microwave scorer whose role centered on instant offense and floor spacing. Her willingness to fire from deep gave Las Vegas another perimeter weapon whenever opposing defenses collapsed on the team’s stars. (WNBA) | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Kiah Stokes | Key Contributor [1.05] | 15.3 | Low [1.0] | 2.3 | 4.4 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 18.1 | Defense-first center who embraced screening, rebounding, and rim protection without needing touches. Her physical presence allowed the Aces to maintain defensive intensity whenever Wilson shifted into different frontcourt matchups. (WNBA) | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Theresa Plaisance | Bench [1.0] | 12.9 | Low [1.0] | 4.0 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 15.6 | Stretch forward who provided frontcourt depth with floor spacing and positional flexibility. Independent reporting on her season primarily focused on her ability to fit into specialized lineup combinations. | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Iliana Rupert | Bench [1.0] | 13.1 | Low [1.0] | 3.8 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 14.8 | Young international post who flashed mobility and shooting touch in a developmental role. Contemporary reporting viewed her as a long-term piece whose skill set fit the Aces’ modern offensive approach. | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Sydney Colson | Bench [1.0] | 6.8 | Low [1.0] | 1.6 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 6.2 | Veteran reserve guard who stabilized second-unit possessions with leadership and dependable ball handling. Most season coverage emphasized her influence on chemistry as much as her minutes on the floor. | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Aisha Sheppard | Bench [1.0] | 7.6 | Low [1.0] | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 5.2 | Rookie perimeter player who spent most of the season in a developmental role behind one of the league’s deepest backcourts. Independent contemporary reporting on her contributions was limited. | — |
| Kierstan Bell | Bench [1.0] | 5.8 | Low [1.0] | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 5.4 | Athletic rookie wing who showed flashes in limited opportunities but was largely viewed as a long-term development project on a championship contender. Independent season-specific coverage was limited. | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Las Vegas Aces Totals | — | 252.7 | — | 100.8 | 43.7 | 24.9 | 12.4 | — | Combined regular-season production from all listed players. | — |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight
| Player Name | Role Tier | MPG | Usage Tier | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG + BPG) | Impact Index | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Gray | Starter/Star [1.1] | 34.0 | High [1.2] | 21.7 | 3.8 | 7.0 | 1.8 | 90.3 | Masterful lead guard whose postseason was built on surgical pick-and-roll reads and remarkable shot-making. National coverage repeatedly described her Finals run as one of the greatest by a WNBA point guard, with her efficiency and late-game control carrying Las Vegas to its first title. (pressherald.com) | Finals MVP (2022), WNBA Champion (2022) |
| A’ja Wilson | Starter/Star [1.1] | 37.2 | High [1.2] | 20.3 | 10.4 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 95.8 | Defensive anchor and interior focal point who absorbed constant double teams while dominating the glass. Even when opponents packed the paint, her rim protection and physical presence remained the foundation of the Aces’ championship defense. (pressherald.com) | MVP (2022), Defensive Player of the Year (2022), All-WNBA First Team (2022), All-Defensive First Team (2022), WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Kelsey Plum | Starter/Star [1.1] | 33.3 | High [1.2] | 17.1 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 67.3 | Aggressive scoring guard who constantly pressured defenses with deep shooting and fearless drives. Her willingness to attack early in possessions prevented opponents from loading up exclusively on Wilson and Gray throughout the playoffs. (WSLS 10) | All-WNBA First Team (2022), All-Star Game MVP (2022), WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Jackie Young | Starter/Star [1.1] | 34.5 | Medium [1.1] | 12.5 | 4.1 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 49.4 | Versatile wing whose defensive assignments often matched her against elite perimeter scorers while still contributing efficient secondary offense. Her Game 1 Finals breakout reminded observers how valuable her balanced two-way game had become. (WNBA) | Most Improved Player (2022), WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Kiah Stokes | Starter/Star [1.1] | 25.9 | Low [1.0] | 3.7 | 7.2 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 28.0 | Defense-first center whose screening, rebounding, and rim protection allowed Las Vegas’ stars to play more aggressively. Tactical analysis throughout the playoffs focused on the trade-off between her defensive value and the spacing challenges she created offensively. (swishappeal.com) | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Riquna Williams | Key Contributor [1.05] | 20.3 | Medium [1.1] | 6.9 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 26.1 | Instant-offense reserve who changed games with confident perimeter shooting. Her 17-point performance in the title clincher highlighted the value of her microwave scoring off the bench. | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Dearica Hamby | Key Contributor [1.05] | 8.5 | Low [1.0] | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 8.2 | Energy forward whose postseason role shrank because of injury and matchup decisions. Even in limited minutes, she remained a trusted rebounder and versatile defender whenever Becky Hammon went to the bench. | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Iliana Rupert | Bench [1.0] | 7.0 | Low [1.0] | 2.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 5.2 | Young stretch big who supplied occasional frontcourt depth. Contemporary reporting largely viewed her playoff appearances as valuable developmental experience on a veteran championship roster. (congress.gov) | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Kierstan Bell | Bench [1.0] | 4.8 | Low [1.0] | 2.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 8.8 | Athletic rookie wing who made the most of brief opportunities with active cutting and defensive effort. Independent postseason coverage was limited because of her small role in the rotation. | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Theresa Plaisance | Bench [1.0] | 5.0 | Low [1.0] | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 7.8 | Stretch forward who supplied situational spacing and frontcourt depth. Her postseason opportunities were limited behind Las Vegas’ established rotation. | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Sydney Colson | Bench [1.0] | 4.8 | Low [1.0] | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | Veteran reserve guard whose primary contribution came through steady ball handling and leadership despite minimal playing time. Independent game coverage emphasized her veteran presence more than statistical production. | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Aisha Sheppard | Bench [1.0] | 4.0 | Low [1.0] | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 1.6 | Rookie guard who appeared only in short stretches as backcourt depth. Contemporary independent reporting on her postseason role was limited. | WNBA Champion (2022) |
| Las Vegas Aces Totals | — | 211.3 | — | 102.0 | 38.7 | 23.8 | 9.8 | — | Combined playoff production from all listed players. | — |