Las Vegas dressed up to celebrate the Aces’ third championship in the last four years, with a spectacular parade down the famous Strip on Friday night. The celebration took place eight years after the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors confirmed the relocation of the San Antonio Stars to Las Vegas.
Led by a caravan of low-rider cars exhibiting their hydraulic systems, five double-decker buses traveled from Tropicana Boulevard to Las Vegas Boulevard. The last bus carried the Aces, who threw streamers and confetti at the thousands of fans who gathered four hours before the start of the parade. The Aces, after a season start with a 14-14 record, overcame two intense playoff series before sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals. The Toshiba Plaza filled up to celebrate the fourth professional championship since 2022, with the Aces winning three and the NHL’s Golden Knights winning the Stanley Cup in 2023.We’re back!
Mark Davis, owner of the Aces
We should do it again next year.
Becky Hammon, Aces coach
Hammon, who completed her fourth season with the Aces, highlighted that this year’s team was the easiest to coach. “They came and worked hard, regardless of the circumstances,” she said. “This is one of the groups with the most character and resilience.”
After losing several key players from their previous championship rosters, the Aces welcomed many new faces and needed almost three months to consolidate, before stringing together 16 consecutive wins to finish the regular season and earn the second seed in the playoffs.NaLyssa Smith, who joined the team mid-season, looked at her teammates on stage and said: “You changed my life”. Jackie Young, part of the team in the three championships, was concise in her speech: “Just so you know, we’re not done yet.” The celebration culminated with confetti and fireworks, as Queen’s “We Are The Champions” played. Musical performances by Crime Mob, Ludacris, and Mya enlivened the party.This is a special group; we pray together and toast with champagne together.
A’ja Wilson, four-time MVP
Now it’s a parade.
Jewell Loyd, three-time WNBA champion
