Chelsea Gray expected to return to the Aces’ lineup against the Storm

“We’re going to see how that goes and evaluate and then make an in-game call,” Hammon said. “We have a general idea of ​​what we’re doing with her, but it could change one way or another depending on how things go.”

The Aces, who have won the past two WNBA championships, are off to a slow start. Las Vegas has lost five of seven games and dropped to 6-6, matching the number of losses it had last season.

Gray’s absence is a big factor, but Hammon was also disappointed in a defense that through Monday was 10th in the 12-team league allowing 104.2 points per 100 possessions.

However, Gray’s expected return would be crucial. She was the WNBA Finals MVP two years ago and was averaging 15.6 points and 6.8 assists in the playoffs last season at the time of the injury.

Hammon slowly took Gray through her recovery.

“There’s no one more appreciated than the player who didn’t get to play because it was taken away from you,” Hammon said. “When you have that hunger and that urge to come back because you haven’t had it in so long, it brings a different kind of benefit. It brings a different kind of energy and focus, and hopefully that aspect of Chelsea’s game will be contagious for us.

“We have not only missed her spirit, her passing and her goals, but also her spirit.”

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball