Nalyssa Smith takes a shot at the Dallas Wings after winning the WNBA Championship with the Las Vegas Aces, throwing shade at her former team in a viral postgame moment.
From “Worst to First”: Nalyssa Smith’s Message Hits Hard
So, let’s be honest — Nalyssa Smith earned her moment. After getting traded out of Dallas, a lot of people thought her career was heading downhill fast. There were folks saying she was “done,” “a bust,” or even “on her way out of the league.”
Fast forward to now — Smith is standing on top of the basketball world, wearing her championship gear and flashing that “From Worst to First” statement piece that instantly went viral.
Now, fans are debating: Was it shade?
Come on. Of course, it was shade.
That was a direct shot at the Dallas Wings, the team that gave up on her.
Dallas Was Nearly the End of Her Career
When Smith was with the Wings, she looked like a completely different player. She was averaging barely six points a game and was getting cooked on defense nightly. It honestly looked like her career was teetering on the edge.
But then came Vegas — and everything changed.
The Aces did something smart: they hid her weaknesses and amplified her strengths. They didn’t ask her to be something she’s not. They put her in spots to succeed, to play off A’ja Wilson, and to simply be herself.
Suddenly, all the confidence that disappeared in Dallas started coming back. And look at the result — a championship.
That “From Worst to First” Shade Was Personal
Some people online are trying to play it off like it wasn’t a shot at the Wings, but let’s be real here.
She was wearing the same belt-style accessory she had during her Wings promo shoot. The shirt. The energy. The words. Everything lined up like a statement piece.
And Nalyssa knows exactly what she’s doing. She’s from Texas — she knows how Dallas fans move. That “worst to first” line wasn’t about her personal stats; it was about the franchise that gave up on her.
It’s revenge season energy — and it feels justified.
She Never Hated Indiana, Just the Coaching Situation
And it’s not like Nalyssa Smith’s story is all about bad blood. She didn’t hate Indiana. In fact, she wanted to stay there — just not under Christy Sides. Everyone’s heard the rumors. Even her family made it clear: it wasn’t Indiana she wanted out of, it was the situation.
If Steph White had been the Fever’s coach when Smith was there, things might have gone completely differently. Steph knows how to get the best out of skilled forwards like Smith — and you can bet she’s watching this whole redemption arc smiling a little.
How the Trade Actually Worked for Everyone
In the end, maybe this was one of those rare win-win trades.
- The Aces got a player who perfectly fits their system.
- The Wings grabbed a first-round pick.
- The Fever landed Sophie Cunningham and pick No. 19.
It’s one of those trades that might’ve looked weird at first but ended up making sense all around. But still — no one is enjoying it more than Nalyssa Smith right now.
Because for her, this was personal.
Why These Celebrations Matter
You know what’s great about all this? She should celebrate like that.
When a player has been written off, doubted, and tossed aside, and they finally win — that celebration means something deeper. It’s not about bragging; it’s about survival.
You could feel that energy from the entire Aces roster — from Becky Hammon not being in Coach of the Year talks despite finishing the season on a 16-game win streak, to A’ja Wilson proving she’s still the best player in the world.
They all had something to prove, and they did.
The Aces Dynasty Rolls On — and Smith Is Now a Part of It
This win wasn’t just another ring for Vegas — it cemented their dynasty. Three titles in four years. Unmatched dominance.
And Nalyssa Smith just walked into that greatness and made herself part of the story. Whether she stays long-term or not, she’s now a champion, and that’s forever.
Vegas might find a stronger starter at power forward down the line, but Smith’s value is undeniable. Bench or starter, she fits.
And you better believe she’s staying — because nobody’s giving up that kind of winning environment easily.
Final Thoughts
So yeah — Nalyssa Smith took her shot at the Dallas Wings, and she earned the right to do it.
When a team trades you for what might end up being the 14th pick in a weak draft, and you turn around and win a ring, you’ve got every right to talk your talk.
This wasn’t bitterness. It was redemption.
From “worst to first,” Nalyssa Smith let the world — and Dallas — know exactly what time it is.
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