WNBA has pushed back the tip-off of Friday night’s game between the Washington Mystics and Las Vegas Aces from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. EDT after the Aces experienced travel issues. The Aces’ traveling issues were due to them being stuck in an airport for 24 hours in large because the WNBA teams fly commercial and not charter.
The Aces arrived at a Las Vegas airport at 11 a.m. local time on Thursday for a 1 p.m. flight. However, their flight was delayed twice, forcing the team to take a red-eye to Dallas. Unfortunately, they were met with a 2.5-hour layover before they were to head to Washington, D.C. Friday morning.
Like we have really been here at the airport since 11am and it is now almost 6 pm…..and we are expected to play at a high level tomorrow …
— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) August 3, 2018
Yet, the team was met with more delays in Dallas, as Kayla McBride relayed at 10:39 a.m. EDT.
Update. Still in Dallas and they just delayed us again. I can’t.
— Kayla McBride (@kaymac_2123) August 3, 2018
Even with the league pushing back the start by one hour, it’s hard to believe the Aces will get adequate rest. Besides comparing the inequality of travel from the WNBA and NBA counterparts, who do travel charter, is the fact that an ordeal like this risks players’ safety. Having a few hours of decompress, rest, game plan and get in warmups, it won’t be all that surprising if the Aces are spent by the time the game starts.
What makes an already troubling situation worse is the fact Friday’s game against the Mystics have playoff implications. Las Vegas (12-14) is 1.5 games out of the eighth and final playoff berth behind the Dallas Wings.
The method of travel for the WNBA has been a topic of discussion for sometime, but it’s hard to believe any immediate change is on the horizon with the league and individual team’s finances. Players have campaigned for better salaries as well, and until the league finds financial means to accommodate both, the discussion will unfortunately have to continue.
Player Health is the most important thing. Our schedule is already so compact this year. Now you want us to travel all night with a stop and compete? #notToday #notEver
— Kayla McBride (@kaymac_2123) August 3, 2018
Meanwhile for the Mystics (15-11), they are currently tied for fourth in the standings with the defending WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx. the Mystics and Aces split their previous two meetings this year with both trying to gain advantage over the other.
The WNBA has enjoyed an increase in interest and league milestones this season, however, as illustrated with the Aces’ traveling debacle the league has lengths to go in its development.
