Becky Hammon earns first win as WNBA coach in debut with Las Vegas Aces

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After a decorated 16-year career, Becky Hammon retired from the NBA. In her return to the league as a head coach Friday, she appreciated her players passion in Las Vegas.

It was cool for me because I could feel their energy for me. The most special thing about the season opener was how bad they wanted it for me. I have to move out of the spotlight and they have to move into it. It is about them. They are the ones getting stops and buckets. I'm just there to help them.

After eight years as an NBA assistant in San Antonio, the return of Hammon to the WNBA has put her in the spotlight. Against a Mercury team that was without four players, the Aces took full advantage.

Las Vegas shot 58.2 percent from the field, including 11 of 21 (52%) from behind the arc, with Kelsey Plum making five 3-pointers. Dearica Hamby had 24 points, while Aja Wilson had 15 points.

The team had the second-best record in the league, but lost to Phoenix in the semifinals. The Mercury is led by a first-time head coach,Vanessa Nygaard, while the Aces are led by a first-time head coach,Hanna.

I said we did it right about 80 percent of the time, and I want it 100. I will stay on them. I told them I would coach them hard on that end of the floor. I know their skills will take over. They can score the ball without getting fancy. I give them a lot of trust in that aspect.

He said that the offensive instruction fits the talent of the Aces.

Since the first day, she has emphasized pace and space. We have always been a good transition team. The open floor creates more opportunities in transition. We are scrapping defensively. People don't like to play against that.

Wilson, who was the league's Most Valuable Player in 2020, said that they took care of business. This is just the beginning. We have a lot to learn from each other. The home opener is Sunday, as they face Seattle. There is a time and place for this.