A’ja Wilson, Jewell Loyd, and Becky Hammon FACE the MEDIA After STUNNING Aces Collapse vs. Mercury

The Las Vegas Aces’ postgame press conference on October 8th, 2025, was one of the most tense and revealing moments of the WNBA playoffs so far. Following their shocking loss to the Phoenix Mercury, A’ja Wilson, Jewell Loyd, and Head Coach Becky Hammon sat down with reporters in what quickly turned into an emotional and candid discussion about mistakes, fatigue, and the weight of expectations.

From the very beginning, the energy in the room was thick. A’ja Wilson, usually confident and composed, looked visibly frustrated as she spoke about the team’s performance. “We just didn’t execute when it mattered,” she said. “Phoenix came ready. They were hungrier, more disciplined. We’ve got to take responsibility — all of us.”

Jewell Loyd, who joined the Aces this season amid massive fanfare, echoed that sentiment but emphasized communication issues. “We’ve got too much talent to be this disconnected,” she admitted. “We were slow in transition, our defense broke down, and we didn’t play Aces basketball.” Her tone carried a mix of disappointment and urgency, highlighting a growing frustration that has been building through recent games.

The press room grew even more intense when Head Coach Becky Hammon addressed what many fans have been wondering — whether the Aces are mentally drained after back-to-back championship runs. Hammon didn’t hold back: “We’ve been at the top for two straight years, and that comes with pressure. Everyone wants to beat you. But I told my team — greatness doesn’t make excuses.”

At several moments, Wilson and Hammon appeared to exchange tense glances as questions from the media hinted at locker-room disagreements and fatigue from internal pressure. Rumors have swirled all season about growing tension between veteran players and the coaching staff over rotation choices and late-game strategies.

When asked about her mindset heading into the next game, A’ja Wilson took a deep breath before responding. “We’ve got to get back to who we are. I take accountability for tonight. I’m the leader here, and I’ve got to be better.” Her honesty earned a few nods from reporters — a rare vulnerable moment from one of the league’s most dominant figures.

Jewell Loyd added, “We’ve got two options: fold or fight. And I know this team — we don’t fold.”

Despite the loss, Hammon ended the conference on a defiant note. “You can’t count us out. This group knows how to win. We’ve been here before, and we’ll respond.”

Social media immediately exploded with clips from the press conference. Fans praised A’ja’s accountability, while others speculated that the Aces’ locker room might be fracturing under playoff stress. Critics argued that Phoenix simply outworked them, while loyal supporters insisted this setback would reignite Las Vegas’ championship fire.

Whatever the truth, one thing is clear — the Aces are at a crossroads. With emotions running high and their reputation on the line, the next game will define whether Las Vegas still has the heart of a champion, or whether the Mercury have officially cracked their dynasty.