LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Las Vegas sports teams are in the middle of a busy stretch with playoff hockey, preseason basketball and offseason football moves.
The Golden Knights tied the series against Utah as they head back home for a pivotal Game 5.
MORE ON FOX5: AMPLIFIED: Aces secure A’ja Wilson with $5 million contract as training camp begins
“It’s competitive,” said FOX5 sports reporter Paloma Villicana. “The Knights are going on with their new head coach. It looked like they were done, ready to check out for the season. And then all of a sudden, their new head coach comes in, and they have this spark.”
The Knights hired John Tortorella late in the regular season after parting ways with Bruce Cassidy. The team went on a winning streak to close the season and won their playoff opener before dropping the next two games.
“I think it comes down to their defense,” Villicana said. “A new head coach in the playoffs, trying to get all of this together, trying to get your defense on point, trying to get your goalies ready to roll. And it’s the playoffs. It’s do or die.”
FOX5’s Vince Sapienza is traveling with the team in Utah.
Aces win preseason opener
The Las Vegas Aces won their preseason game against Japan’s national team at Michelob Ultra Arena.
“A lot of new faces on that team, too,” Villicana said. “They’re looking good, looking competitive. They’ve got more veterans on their team this year. The Aces were pretty young last season.”
The Aces have won three championships in Las Vegas under coach Becky Hammon. The team signed A’ja Wilson in the offseason.
“A’ja Wilson is one of the best players, if not the best player, in WNBA history,” Villicana said.
The Aces will open their regular season at T-Mobile Arena.
Raiders quarterback competition brewing
The Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza in the NFL Draft and signed veteran Kirk Cousins in free agency, setting up a potential quarterback competition.
Mendoza won a championship in his final collegiate season at Indiana.
“Fernando Mendoza, he’s battle-tested,” Villicana said. “He played in the Big Ten, won a championship in the Big Ten. That is not easy. I love his humble attitude.”
Cousins signed a contract worth $54 million and has said he is willing to mentor Mendoza.
“The Raiders could totally have Kirk Cousins play and Fernando learn from him in his first rookie year,” Villicana said. “Kind of like Patrick Mahomes. Just learning behind the vet.”
The Raiders added defensive players in the draft and will hold preseason games on FOX5.
UNLV football wraps spring game
UNLV football completed its spring game under coach Dan Mullen.
“They’re looking good, too,” Villicana said. “Better improvement on defense. These guys are looking good on both sides of the ball. They have a quarterback from Auburn. He’s supposed to be really good this season.”
Meanwhile, the Athletics will play two games at Las Vegas Ballpark in June before the team relocates to Las Vegas permanently in 2028.
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