Gustafson sat out for most of the first half of the season with a lower leg injury she suffered during training camp. Now, Gustafson is back in the lineup and adjusting to both the team and system.
“It’s been really fun to … be back,” Gustafson told The Next. “Being out the first half of the season with my injury, I would say it’s taken a little bit to find my rhythm. You know, there’s been some good games and some bad games, so I’m just trying to smooth that out, that’s gonna come naturally.”
Gustafson made her anticipated return on July 10 against the Washington Mystics. The Aces lost by two points, 70-68, and Gustafson had 4 points, four rebounds and a block in her debut. Two nights later, she scored 5 points and had two rebounds and an assist against the Golden State Valkyries. She then managed 5 points against the Dallas Wings, along with four rebounds, an assist and a steal.
A second-round pick in the 2019 WNBA draft, Gustafson played two seasons with the Dallas Wings, totaling 73 points in her first season and 14 in her second. She then played a season with the Washington Mystics, scoring 44 points in 11 games of action, before suiting up for the Phoenix Mercury. She averaged 3.8 points per game in 2022 and 7.9 points per game in 2023.
Gustafson began her Aces tenure in 2024 and emerged as a core big in the lineup. With her veteran experience, Gustafson helped push the Aces into the playoffs and averaged about 10 minutes per game with strong shooting splits from 2-point and 3-point range. The Aces made it to the WNBA semifinals and fell to the New York Liberty in a 3-1 series loss.
So far this season, Gustafson is averaging 3.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.3 steals through nine games. Last season she averaged 3.7 points per game, 1.9 rebounds, 0.4 assists, and 0.2 steals across 38 games.
Now that she’s back in the lineup, Gustafson says her goal is to fall into consistent habits and be there for her team.
“I think just being consistent in my role and being able to provide a spark off the bench,” Gustafson told The Next after being asked about her goals. “I think that’s really, really important, especially if, you know, something goes wrong or if the starters need a break, we have to be ready to go.”
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In the 109-78 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on July 25, Gustafson had a season high of eight points, along with a rebound and an assist. Coming off the bench, she went two for three when it came to 3-pointers, along with a field goal. However, her in-game tenure lasted 13 minutes, as she raked up 4 personal fouls. Her first points came as the Aces were down, 77-53, and with 1:48 left in the third quarter, she made her first 3-pointer of the night, but also had two out of four fouls.
While Gustafson has her fair share of foul trouble, she’s also a critical 3-point shooter the Aces need. In their worst loss of the season — and in franchise history — against the Lynx, Gustafson’s six points in the Aces’ 111-58 defeat came from beyond the arc. Once again, however, she racked up four personal fouls.
As Gustafson works her way back into the system, limiting fouls and continued great shooting and post defense from her could help the Aces in their final playoff push.
“She’s been great,” said head coach Becky Hammon to reporters at practice. “She plays hard, she plays the right way.”
The Aces take on the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, with tipoff at 7 p.m. PST.
