During Las Vegas’ 3-1 semifinals series win over the Storm, Wilson was on the court for all but four minutes, including an overtime contest in which she never subbed out. While Wilson was processing the numbers, teammate Chelsea Gray took over the press conference.

“She’s in the best shape of her life,” Gray said, turning to look at Wilson after a series-ending win over the Storm on Tuesday night.

She has to be, and Wilson isn’t the only one.

Becky Hammon always had a clear picture of what the Las Vegas Aces would look like with her at the helm.

She wanted a team that could get up and down the court for 40 minutes. A team that could outrun its opponents and play with the same intensity in the first quarter as it did in overtime.

“She said right off the bat that we are going to be a team that plays fast-paced basketball,” Aces physical therapist and strength coach Erin Connor said. “We are great at basketball, but we are also going to beat other teams because we’re in better shape and we are faster.”

Las Vegas has the added wrinkle of playing that high-intensity style with limited personnel. Starters Kelsey Plum, Wilson, Jackie Young and Gray all play 30 minutes or more per game, and typically only one or two players come off the bench for limited minutes.

Going into the postseason, the Aces’ lack of depth was regarded as the team’s biggest weakness. And now, as they get ready to take on the Connecticut Sun in the Finals starting with Game 1 on Sunday, that small rotation remains the biggest question mark.

For the public that is.

A’JA WILSON AND THE ACES HAVE A SECRET WEAPON IN THE WNBA FINALS

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