The Las Vegas Aces (26-13) are set to face the Dallas Wings (9-30) in their final regular season game. While currently sitting as the WNBA’s fourth seed, the Aces still have a chance to move up to the third seed. To achieve this, Las Vegas must defeat Dallas, and the Connecticut Sun must lose to the Chicago Sky. If both scenarios happen, Las Vegas will face Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in the first round of the WNBA playoffs. However, the Aces seem content with their current seeding, as they announced on Wednesday that key players A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and Chelsea Gray are all doubtful to play against Dallas due to rest.
This announcement has sparked excitement among fans of Aces rookie Kate Martin, who played alongside Caitlin Clark at Iowa. With four of the Aces’ starters likely resting, fans are anticipating that Martin will receive significant playing time in the final game. Many are eager to see how she performs in what could be her most extended minutes of the season. One fan tweeted, “That means Becky gotta play Queen Egbo and Kate Martin tomorrow!!! A win is a win,” referencing the opportunity for Martin to showcase her skills.
So far in her rookie season, Martin has averaged just 10.9 minutes per game, but Thursday’s game could offer her a chance to shine with a more prominent role. Another fan tweeted, “most of aces’ starting 5 taking a rest on teams next game… Kate Martin you’re a starting 5.”
Martin has garnered a large following from her time at Iowa, where she and Caitlin Clark played four seasons together and became close friends. Their bond has continued into their WNBA careers, with both players publicly supporting each other. Fans are excited about the potential for a “legendary” performance from Martin, as one fan put it, during the season finale.
If Las Vegas wins and Connecticut loses, it would set up a first-round playoff matchup between the Aces and the Indiana Fever, reuniting Martin and Clark in a head-to-head showdown.
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