How a simple lineup change could send the Aces to the playoffs

Bell had seen very few minutes before getting the call to be a starter. However, in her first game as a starter against the Dallas Wings, Bell had 19 points in the 106-80 win. She had three rebounds, an assist, and a block along with her season-high scoring output.

“KB just stayed ready,” head coach Becky Hammon told reporters after the Dallas win. “I mean, you know, her minutes have been spotty, and I think when I’ve been pretty consistent with her, she’s been consistent with me in performing.”

”I just try to go out there and do what I do,” Bell told The Next before their matchup against Seattle. “My teammates trust me to go out there every night and bring the energy, bring confidence, and just be able to play the right way.”

Loyd has shown improvement from the bench, having multiple 10+ point games, along with a 27-point game in the 101-77 win against the Golden State Valkyries. Part of her performance came after Valkyries rookie Janelle Salaun was ejected for checking Loyd in the jaw. Neither player had the ball at the moment in the second quarter. Loyd told reporters after the game that it “poked the bear,” saying that a performance like that should not have to come from a foul like that.

“I was always taught by DT (Diana Taurasi) never poke the bear,” Loyd told reporters after the game. “I mean, we all get frustrated. Everyone goes through it, but, you know, it’s interesting, you hit someone, walk out of the way, so, it’s life. But I think all of us were kind of fed up with just the late pushes in the back.”

The Valkyries hosted the fourth matchup between the two on Wednesday, August 6, in which the Aces closed the series with a 78-72 win. Loyd had 14 points alongside Jackie Young, along with three rebounds, two assists, and a block. Loyd was a +7 in the game, and Bell was +3. Bell had 3 points in the game, along with a rebound, an assist, and a block.

The Aces squared off against the Seattle Storm for the second home matchup. While Bell only managed an assist, she was still a +2, and Hammon told reporters after the game that her movement on the court plays a critical role in their success.

“She’s done what we ask her to do every night,” Hammon told reporters. “She helps with our body movement, our player movement, I think she’s been super solid in the role.”

“I think she’s been really solid for us,” said A’ja Wilson after the game. “Obviously, I know KB wants to be this energy player, and she is, and she may not come up on the stat sheet, and I don’t want her to get locked in on that stat sheet, because the little things … the cuts, the rebounds, the [offensive] boards that she does every single day, just running to the corners is huge for some and it’s a big step.”

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Loyd helped the Aces with her 26 minutes of playing time, getting 10 points off the bench. Loyd had three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block as well.

The lineup switch has provided a boost to the Aces’ playoff push. Before the All-Star break, the Aces were 11-11. The conversation about the Aces’ playoff outlook was active, with the consensus being that they would miss the playoffs. However, the Aces have since improved to a 17-14 record, moving up to sixth in the standings. The Aces are currently in a playoff position and look to close out the season with that spot.

The Aces take on the Connecticut Sun at Michelob Ultra Arena on Sunday. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. PST. The game will be live on NBA TV.