The early-season WNBA schedule offers an immediate litmus test for two teams off to 0-1 starts as the Las Vegas Aces visit the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on Tuesday, May 20 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Las Vegas leaned heavily on a blistering 31-point, 16-rebound outburst from A’ja Wilson before fading late against New York, while Connecticut surrendered a fourth-quarter lead to Washington despite Tina Charles rolling back the clock with 23 points and 10 boards. With just one result logged apiece, bettors must weigh last year’s body of work against the freshest evidence as they gauge who will steady the ship first in this Aces vs Sun showdown.
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Aces vs Sun Game Preview
Coach Becky Hammon unveiled a new backcourt featuring four-time All-Star Jewell Loyd beside floor general Chelsea Gray, creating a three-headed scoring engine with Wilson inside. The trio of Gray, Wilson, and Jackie Young combined for 59 of the Aces’ 78 points in Brooklyn. But Loyd struggled, shooting 2/10 from the field and scoring just five points. Expect Hammon to stress quicker ball movement and cleaner looks for sharpshooter Jackie Young, who managed 16 points on seven attempts in the opener.
Defensively, Las Vegas could not contain Liberty driver Natasha Cloud, conceding 56 points in the paint. To tighten that interior, Kiah Stokes and rookie Elizabeth Kitley must offer more rim protection so Wilson can freelance on help rotations rather than contesting every primary touch.
Connecticut’s roster overhaul was one of the talking points of the offseason. All-WNBA veteran Tina Charles returned to her original franchise and immediately shouldered a heavy usage rate, logging 15 field-goal attempts Sunday. Wing Marina Mabrey shot 5/21 from the field in their opener, and athletic guard Jacy Sheldon supplied pace in transition. The Sun coughed up a 10-point first-quarter cushion as defensive lapses on the perimeter allowed Washington to shoot 51.6% from the field. The Sun will try to tag Loyd above the break and force the Aces into contested mid-range jumpers.
Depth is a subplot to track in this game. Las Vegas leaned on its bench for only 14 points in New York, but Connecticut’s second unit only got five points from sources other than Bria Hartley. Early foul trouble for Charles or Mabrey could stretch the Sun’s rotation thin against an opponent that loves to push pace after missed shots.
Betting Insights
The following betting odds for this game are from Sportzino.
- Point spread: Las Vegas −11.5
- Total: 166.5 points
- Moneyline: Las Vegas −1000, Connecticut +500
- Recent form: Both teams are 0-1 this season. Las Vegas finished 2024 with a 27-13 regular-season mark, while Connecticut closed 2024 at 28-12.
- Line movement: The spread opened at Aces −12 and the total at 166.5 with minimal adjustment since Sunday night, hinting that bookmakers are comfortable with their initial stance despite both defenses showing leaks in the opener.
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Aces vs Sun Prediction
Early-season handicapping often rewards the roster with clearer continuity, and Las Vegas retains Wilson, Gray and Young from back-to-back title runs in 2022 and 2023. The Aces should also benefit from a motivational edge after Saturday’s banner ceremony for the Liberty served as a rude reminder that the crown now resides elsewhere.
Connecticut’s collective chemistry remains a work in progress after four new starters stepped onto the floor against Washington. Charles remains an elite interior scorer, yet she lacks the rim-running athleticism that once defined her prime, leaving question marks against Wilson’s relentless face-up game.
Expect Hammon to stagger minutes so one of her three primary scorers is always on the court, forcing the Sun’s thinner bench to defend in space. On the other end, Las Vegas will likely deploy occasional half-court traps to tempt Connecticut’s inexperienced guards into rushed reads. Turnovers should fuel outlet passes to Young and Loyd, generating the quick-strike buckets that were largely absent against New York.
The total feels slightly ambitious given the Sun’s desire to play through Charles on the block and the Aces’ emphasis on tightening interior defense. With both clubs logging under-performing three-point percentages in game one, a return to league-average shooting could nudge the combined figure past 160, but topping 166.5 requires a perfect storm. Las Vegas has covered eight of its last ten trips to Uncasville dating back to 2022, and the talent gap appears wider now.
Best bet: Las Vegas Aces −12
Lean: Under 166.5
Projected score: Aces 91, Sun 74
