The Las Vegas Aces (26-13) will host the Dallas Wings (9-30) on Thursday night in their regular season finale. Entering this game as the WNBA’s fourth seed, Las Vegas still has a path to the third seed.
If Las Vegas defeats Dallas on Thursday and the Connecticut Sun lose to the Chicago Sky, the Aces will finish in third. This would give Las Vegas a matchup against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.
Seemingly content with the fourth seed, the Aces announced on Wednesday that A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray are all doubtful to play against Dallas due to rest.
Clark’s former Iowa teammate and Aces rookie Kate Martin has been trending after this announcement from Las Vegas, as fans are excited for the opportunity she could have in the season finale.
With Las Vegas likely resting four of their five starters, fans believe this means Martin is looking at increased playing time.
Via @_ErinLan: “That means Becky gotta play Queen Egbo and Kate Martin tomorrow!!! A win is a win”
Martin is averaging just 10.9 minutes per game in her rookie season, but could see heavy minutes on Thursday.
Via @guiltyasclark: “most of aces’s starting 5 taking a rest on teams next game….kate martin you’re an starting 5”
Martin has a large following from her time at Iowa, and many of those fans have been expressing their excitement for Thursday’s game.
Via @HuesmannKyle: “Legendary Kate Martin performance coming tomorrow night.”
Martin and Clark played four seasons together at Iowa and became best friends. The two WNBA rookies have continued to publicly support each other since beginning their professional careers.
If Las Vegas wins on Thursday and Connecticut loses, Martin and Clark will face off in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.