The Las Vegas Aces have struggled all season long. Among other issues, Jewell Loyd, who was acquired in a three-team deal that sent out Kelsey Plum this offseason, simply hasn’t looked like a great fit with the other Aces starters. Halfway through the season, Becky Hammon and Loyd decided it would be better for the veteran to come off the bench. The change led to a much-needed win.
25-year-old Kierstan Bell took Loyd’s spot. Aside from Kiah Stokes, Bell is the longest-tenured Aces reserve and knows how the team works. Nevertheless, sliding into the starting lineup was a challenge. Bell joined the Aces in 2022 after being drafted eleventh overall. She only started one game in her first three seasons and played limited minutes.
As a rookie, Bell played only 5.8 minutes per game. She doubled that number in her sophomore season, but then only played six games in 2024. This season, her minutes have also been up and down. Nevertheless, Bell responded well in her second career start. Now, she just has to do it again against a better team.
Kierstan Bell played a career game against the Dallas Wings
Bell had some solid games for the Aces this season, but none compare to her latest performance against the Dallas Wings. The 25-year-old started alongside Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, NaLyssa Smith, and A’ja Wilson, and played 21 minutes. She finished the game with 19 points on 54.5 percent shooting from the field, including three made 3-pointers, three rebounds, one assist, and one block.
Those 19 points didn’t just mark a season high in scoring but also a career high. Bell, who had spent most of her career at the end of Becky Hammon’s bench, rose to the challenge and thrived in her first start of the season.
Bell still has to prove herself against tougher competition
However, her success should be taken with a grain of salt. After all, the Aces played the Wings. Dallas has won only seven games all season long and has the second-worst record in the league. The only thing they are competing for is another lottery pick and a Rookie of the Year trophy for Paige Bueckers.
So, Bell still has another challenge ahead of her. She needs to play well as a starter against a more competitive team. A chance to do that will present itself soon. The Aces’ next matchup is against Los Angeles, one of their biggest competitors in the playoff race. After that, the Aces have games against the Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, and Seattle Storm coming up.