The Aporia · NaLyssa Smith was rolling before injury that turned her into cheerleader for Aces' repeat quest

NaLyssa Smith was rolling before injury that turned her into cheerleader for Aces' repeat quest

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Anderson, M. (2026, September 22). NaLyssa Smith was rolling before injury that turned her into cheerleader for Aces' repeat quest. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/nalyssa-smith-was-rolling-before-injury-that-turned-her-into-cheerleader-for-aces-repeat-quest/article_4a3353b3-38d9-5127-bfdd-a1646127ff9b.html

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Quick Summary

NaLyssa Smith suffered a season-ending injury on August 23, cutting short what had been her best year yet with the Las Vegas Aces. She averaged 11.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in 37 appearances before the injury, leading the league in field goal percentage at 63.8%. Now sidelined, Smith is supporting her team as they aim to repeat as WNBA champions, though their title chances were weakened by her absence.

Written by AI on 2026-09-22, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

NaLyssa Smith, a key player for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA, suffered a season-ending non-contact left leg injury on August 23. At the time of her injury, she was averaging 11.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game over 37 games, leading the league in field goal percentage at 63.8%. Her absence has significantly impacted the Aces' chances to repeat as champions and secure their fourth title in five years. Smith, in her fifth season, believes this year could have been one of her best but now focuses on recovery, supported by teammates like MVP A’ja Wilson and coach Becky Hammon who are offering encouragement and advice based on their own experiences with injuries. Despite the loss, the Aces entered Monday ranked third in the standings, demonstrating resilience despite Smith's absence.

Written for “NaLyssa Smith Injury Turned Cheerleader” on 2026-10-30, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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Mark Anderson

31 article(s) here · 0 carrying a prediction

🔮 The Raiders need help at the position, and could get even more soon with Jack Bech (broken forearm) having his 21-day window to come off IR opened Monday.

2026-10-28 · assertive framing · Raiders activate Dont'e Thornton Jr. off injured reserve and waive Jonah Laulu

🔮 LAS VEGAS (AP) — This was, especially in the first half, the kind of Rams team many expected to see all along.

2026-10-26 · assertive framing · Matthew Stafford sets Rams TD pass record as Los Angeles rolls past Raiders 35-21

🔮 Both were three-point losses, and doing even slightly better inside the 20-yard line could have been enough to flip those games.

2026-10-20 · assertive framing · Raiders focus on 3rd-quarter scoring woes after losses to Chiefs and Bills

🔮 LAS VEGAS (AP) — LeBron James might have shifted the power in the Eastern Conference — and perhaps the NBA in general — when he ended eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers to sign with Philadelphia.

2026-10-19 · mixed framing · LeBron James' move to Philadelphia makes 76ers the betting favorite out of the East

🔮 Michael Mayer caught seven passes for a career-high 95 yards for Las Vegas, and fellow tight end Brock Bowers hauled in four receptions for 70 yards.

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · Josh Allen ties Jim Kelly's Bills TD pass record as Buffalo holds off Raiders 33-30

🔮 The Raiders ’ young secondary calmed a lot of nerves in the first four games, making plays and showing maybe it won’t be an area of concern this season.

2026-10-15 · assertive framing · A harsh wake-up call for the Raiders' young secondary with Josh Allen up next

🔮 Kubiak made it clear that Cousins still tops the depth chart, and the 15-year veteran has done little that would justify a change.

2026-10-13 · assertive framing · Fernando Mendoza looked ready in garbage time, but Raiders' offense still belongs to Kirk Cousins

🔮 The Chiefs (4-0) now look as if they could be ready to begin another streak.

2026-10-08 · assertive framing · A tough first loss for the Raiders, now a quick turnaround at New England

🔮 He said any success “will be a big factor in us being a better football team.”

2026-10-06 · assertive framing · Klint Kubiak takes blame for a Raiders run game that ranks worst in NFL in yards per carry

🔮 All Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson had to do was run into the end zone Sunday and bettors backing Minnesota would have cashed in.

2026-10-05 · assertive framing · A slide at the 1 flips Vikings bettors’ fate as Dolphins cover in 15-10 loss

Also by Mark Anderson

Raiders activate Dont'e Thornton Jr. off injured reserve and waive Jonah Laulu

2026-10-27 · Toronto Star

Matthew Stafford sets Rams TD pass record as Los Angeles rolls past Raiders 35-21

2026-10-25 · Toronto Star

Raiders focus on 3rd-quarter scoring woes after losses to Chiefs and Bills

2026-10-20 · Toronto Star

LeBron James' move to Philadelphia makes 76ers the betting favorite out of the East

2026-10-19 · Toronto Star

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 31 articles by Mark Anderson →

Claims (14 extracted, 0 hedged)

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — NaLyssa Smith was playing some of her best basketball when she suffered a season-ending non-contact left leg injury Aug. 23. asserted

she → play → injury

Now she has to sit and watch her Las Vegas Aces teammates try to repeat as WNBA champions and win their fourth title in five years. asserted

teammates → have → years

“You never plan on having an injury,” Smith said Monday. asserted

Smith → plan → injury

“You always plan on just having a better year every single year. asserted

You → plan → year

But I’ve been surrounded by nothing but love and grace.” asserted

I → surround → love

Smith took a lot of pressure off four-time MVP A’ja Wilson by giving the Aces a key second weapon in the post. asserted

Smith → take → post

She averaged 11.8 points and 6.4 rebounds over 37 games at the time of her injury and led the league in field goal percentage at 63.8%. asserted

She → average → %

“I feel like this has probably been one of my best years so far,” said Smith, in her fifth season. asserted

Smith → feel → season

“So it’s unfortunate it came to an end so quickly, but now that I know I can (play well), I can build on it.” asserted

I → ’ → it

Smith said Wilson has kept in regular contact with her and that coach Becky Hammon shared how she overcame her own injury problems as a Hall of Fame player. asserted

she → say → player

Losing Smith was a big blow to the Aces’ title chances, though they went into Monday third in the standings with two games left. asserted

games → lose → standings

Las Vegas is a consensus second choice to win the championship behind Minnesota. asserted

Vegas → win → Minnesota

“I feel like every athlete, you’re going to go through something, whether that’s a hard time in your life, whether that is losing somebody in a family, whether that’s just being depressed because of basketball,” Smith said. asserted

Smith → feel → basketball

“I’ve gone through many trials and tribulations, so this is just another stepping stone.” asserted

this → go → trials

NaLyssa Smith was rolling before injury that turned her into cheerleader for Aces' repeat quest

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Claims (14 extracted, 0 hedged)