VIS Mentor Kiah Stokes, a WNBA veteran center on the Las Vegas Aces, played an essential role in the Aces’ back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023. This year is no different, as the Aces strive for a three-peat.
After an 84-88 loss Tuesday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, the Aces head into game three down 0-2 in the semifinal series against the New York Liberty. The Aces have to win the next three games straight to advance to the WNBA finals, a feat that can’t be underestimated.
“I'm sure they feel like something was stolen,” said Becky Hammon, the Las Vegas Aces Head Coach, in regards to game four of the 2023 WNBA Finals against the Liberty. Just a year ago, a 70-69 Aces victory ended New York’s season – on their home court. Despite the Aces’ last two losses, Stokes and her teammates have made it clear that they are not going down without a fight.
Stokes’ Mental Preparation for High-Pressure Moments
Preparing for a high pressure game – a game that could end the Aces’ season – takes not only maturity, focus, and discipline, but also a high level of mental toughness. On Episode 3 of the VOICEINSPORT Podcast, Stokes revealed part of her pre-game routine, which stays consistent regardless of the location, time, or situation. “I always, before the game in the locker room, put some calming music on, I just take like, 5 or 10 minutes and just like calm myself down, try to breathe out any nerves I have. And just try to visualize the game.”
Her routine, which is tried and true after years as a professional athlete, is something that athletes at any level can implement into their pre-game routine. Taking time to breathe and visualize are proven to help athletes prepare their minds and bodies to perform at their best – regardless if it’s to prepare for practice, a regular-season game, or a championship.
“I just take like, 5 or 10 minutes and just like calm myself down, try to breathe out any nerves I have. And just try to visualize the game.”
Dealing with Changes and Injury
Unpredictability plays an essential role in sports. While there are certain controllables, we, as athletes, can only control so much. Coaching decisions can change at any time, and so can our health. Stokes faced both of these changes in game two of the WNBA semifinals.
From game one to game two, Hammon adjusted the Aces starting lineup to account for the Liberty’s size advantage. As a result, Stokes started against the Liberty on Tuesday instead of Alysha Clark, another VIS Mentor. Stokes stepped up when her name was called, and she did all she could in the minutes that she played.
With seconds left in the third quarter, Stokes collided with Jonquel Jones, a center for the Liberty, and exited the game with a concussion. She did not return to the game, and it’s doubtful that she will be cleared to play in game three.
Like Stokes, sometimes sports throw unexpected circumstances at us. Despite the concussion, we expect that our VIS Mentor will bring energy and support to her team as they battle the Liberty in game three – this time with the support of their home crowd in Vegas. “Let there be no doubt, we’re in for a war,” Hammon said about the upcoming game against the Liberty.
As much as the Las Vegas Aces want to win high-stakes, WNBA playoff games, there are only certain things in their control. The past is not one of those. Circumstances, like injury, are not controllable, either. Like the pros, when heading into competition, it’s in our best interest to focus on what we can control: Our energy, our effort, our discipline, and our mental and physical preparation. Stokes and her team head into the next playoff games focused on the aspects of the game they can control.
