The WNBA season is officially underway, and while the new CBA has brought significant improvements for players, the schedule remains a formidable challenge. Some teams are already feeling the strain of a grueling 44-game campaign, but one squad stands out as best equipped to handle the pressure: the Las Vegas Aces.

The defending champions kicked off their title defense with a demanding home-road back-to-back, followed by a trek to Uncasville for a two-game set against the Connecticut Sun. Despite the lack of schedule deference, the Aces have proven their resilience time and again. Their championship pedigree and deep roster make them a team that thrives under adversity, even when the travel miles pile up early.

For context, the New York Liberty have already played four games, with the Aces and Sun joining them Friday night at Mohegan Sun Arena. The Sun have enjoyed a relatively light travel schedule, opening in New York before settling in for three straight home games. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Mercury are logging their fourth game Friday after a back-to-back road trip to San Francisco, followed by a home opener against the Minnesota Lynx. Their opponent, the Chicago Sky, has yet to play at home, making their impressive 2-0 start on a West Coast road trip all the more remarkable.

The Indiana Fever just returned from a single-game West Coast jaunt, hosting the Washington Mystics in Indianapolis on Friday after a win in Los Angeles. The Mystics may grumble about a road-home-road start, but it’s nothing compared to the Sparks, who have no excuses for a potential 0-3 start with four straight home games. The Toronto Tempo, meanwhile, are beginning a five-game road trip after earning their first franchise win in Canada.

In a season where schedule disparities are inevitable, the Aces have the depth, experience, and mental toughness to navigate the chaos. Whether it’s back-to-backs or cross-country flights, Las Vegas is built to survive—and thrive—in the WNBA’s new era.