Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith will miss the remainder of the season due to a left leg injury, as announced by the team on Thursday. The specifics of the injury remain unclear, including whether surgery is needed or what her recovery timeline looks like.

Smith, who joined the Aces from the Dallas Wings last June, played a crucial role in their success, helping them secure their third title in four years last season. This year, she averaged 11.7 points and 6.4 rebounds with an impressive 63.8% shooting percentage over 38 games.

The injury occurred during the third quarter of the Aces' recent victory over the Toronto Tempo. After jumping to catch a pass from Jackie Young, Smith landed awkwardly, causing her left leg to buckle. She collapsed on the court and was unable to put weight on her leg as she was assisted off.

Smith's absence is significant for the Aces, who have struggled with depth, particularly in the frontcourt. Despite not living up to her No. 2 pick status in the 2022 WNBA Draft, she thrived in a complementary role, becoming an elite cutter and offensive rebounder. Prior to her injury, she ranked fourth in the league for points scored off cuts and ninth in offensive rebounds per game.

Without Smith, the Aces face a challenge in rebounding, as their offensive rebounding rate would be the worst in league history if she were to remain sidelined. The team will need to adjust, possibly moving A'ja Wilson to center or increasing the minutes of Brianna Turner or Cheyenne Parker-Tyus.

Currently, the Aces sit at 26-13, third in the standings, and have the easiest remaining schedule. While they may maintain their position during the regular season, Smith's absence could hinder their playoff performance, especially with Chennedy Carter also out. The Aces still hold the best player in the world in Wilson and remain contenders, but their chances of repeating as champions are increasingly uncertain.