A healthy Chelsea Gray could spell success for the Aces next year

Next season, the Aces will be without Kelsey Plum, who opted to join the Los Angeles Sparks this offseason. In her place, they acquired another long-tenured All-Star, Jewell Loyd. A’ja Wilson is fresh off of her third MVP season, and the Aces also have Jackie Young returning to help anchor the backcourt.

Still, Gray’s production will be critical as the Aces look to once again compete for a WNBA championship. Unrivaled is a full-court 3-on-3 league, and thus isn’t a perfect predictor of what 5-on-5 success in the WNBA will look like.

But, Gray’s body of work speaks for itself — and the fact that she’s back in such a good rhythm is a welcome sign for Las Vegas.

And, in the shorter term, Gray’s resurgence is a great sign for her Rose Club, who clinched a spot in the Unrivaled postseason.

“We started off a little rocky, I just said stay the course,” Gray said after hitting the game-winner Monday. “Every player comes in, gets extra work, we love to be together, just try to compete, get better in practice — and it’s showing out there on the court.”