Aces lose Dana Evans indefinitely. Same left leg that knocked her out of the Unrivaled playoffs in March — Vegas listed her as out indefinitely heading into opening week. Aces backfilled by signing Chennedy Carter and Stephanie Talbot. Title favorites can't quite catch a break before tipoff.

The Aces, the betting favorite to win it all, are starting the year a guard short. Dana Evans is out indefinitely with a left leg injury — same lower-extremity problem that ruled her out of the Unrivaled playoffs back in March. Vegas re-signed her in the offseason expecting the bench scoring punch she gave them last year (6.6 PPG, 2.2 APG in 17.7 minutes off the bench during Vegas's third title in four years).

To make up for the absence, the Aces signed Chennedy Carter — the former Sky guard who put up 17.5 a game in 2024 — and veteran wing Stephanie Talbot. It's a credible patch but it's not Evans, whose ability to come off the bench and pour in 15 in stretches was a real weapon in the Finals last fall.

Opening night for Vegas isn't tonight. The Aces tip Saturday at home against the Sparks. By then we'll know if A'ja Wilson, the GM survey's MVP favorite at 67%, looks ready to push for ring No. 4.