What Happened
During a preseason game between the Las Vegas Aces and Dallas Wings, A'ja Wilson brought the ball up the floor when Alanna Smith attempted a steal. As Wilson got her hand up to pass the ball, her elbow clashed with Smith's face. The impact was severe enough to leave Smith bleeding from the mouth. Wilson was initially called for a foul, which was upgraded to a flagrant one after video review. Smith retreated to the locker room and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Backlash and Fan Criticism
The play immediately drew the ire of fans who criticized the reigning MVP for bringing excessive intensity to a preseason game where physicality is typically toned down. Fans labeled the play as dirty and questioned Wilson's aggressive approach. One fan noted that Smith allegedly lost a tooth from the impact. Another commented on the irony of Wilson eliminating her co-defensive player of the year, suggesting Wilson was acting excessively. The backlash highlighted that such plays draw extra scrutiny when committed by a reigning MVP and champion.
Smith's Status
Alanna Smith was already coming into the game questionable due to a quad injury but was deemed fit enough to play. Before the elbow incident, she was performing well offensively with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting and a team-high 7 rebounds in just 12 minutes. After the collision with Wilson, she returned to the sidelines with an ice pack on her face and appeared to be smiling while talking with teammate Jessica Shepherd. No specific update on the severity of her injury was provided.
Context of Physicality
The incident occurred during preseason, when games typically feature more whistles and lesser physicality due to lower stakes and teams focusing on team chemistry. Referees had made efforts to keep physicality on the low side with more fouls called in preseason games that year. Wilson's extreme intensity and physical play stood out against this backdrop. Additionally, this was not Wilson's only physical clash in the game, as she had earlier engaged in a physical encounter with Wings star Jessica Shepherd during a block attempt.
Rivalry Implications
Smith and Wilson shared the Defensive Player of the Year honors for the first time in the award's history, making them defensive rivals. As the best defender on the Wings, Smith was often tasked with guarding Wilson during the game. The Aces and Wings are scheduled to face each other three times during the season, setting the stage for potential future confrontations between these two elite defenders. 
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