Chennedy Carter made her return to WNBA action count, dropping 18 points as the Las Vegas Aces defeated the Japan national team 94-78 in their preseason opener Sunday at Michelob Ultra Arena.

With four-time MVP A’ja Wilson sidelined by a right arm injury, the Aces relied on a balanced attack. Jackie Young added 17 points and Chelsea Gray chipped in 16, while Jewell Loyd contributed 13 points after a scary fall in the second quarter.

Coach Becky Hammon was not pleased with the team’s defensive start, noting they did not come out with the appropriate mindset. Japan’s Mai Yamamoto torched the Aces from deep, hitting 4 of 5 3-pointers in the first half and finishing with 18 points. The game was tied at 30-30 after the first quarter, but the Aces pulled away with a 22-15 second quarter and a dominant third that limited Japan to 12 points.

Hammon said Wilson’s absence was precautionary and that she would have played in a playoff game. Wilson went through a full individual warmup and was seen with tape on her fingers.

Rookie Janiah Barker appeared to sustain a head or neck injury when she ran into a screen, and guard Dana Evans remained out with a lower leg issue with no timeline for return.

Kierstan Bell scored 14 points off the bench, and Brianna Turner made a strong defensive impact with three blocks and two steals. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus struggled with three turnovers in five minutes and did not play in the second half.

“The real return is when the preseason starts against Dallas,” Carter said, referring to the May 3 game in Austin, Texas. “But this was a great opportunity for me to get familiar with my teammates and the coaching staff.”