Las Vegas Aces: Dynasty Solidified! 3rd WNBA Title in 4 Years

The Las Vegas Aces Crowned WNBA Champions for the Third Time in Four Years

In a dominant performance, the Las Vegas Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury with a score of 97-86 on Friday night, securing their third WNBA championship in four years. This triumph solidifies their position as the reigning dynasty in the league. The Aces completed a four-game sweep against the Mercury in the WNBA Finals, the first in league history in a best-of-seven format. Aces star and four-time league MVP A’ja Wilson led the way in Game 4, finishing with 31 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks, earning her the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. In the Finals, she averaged 28.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

“She’s like Mount Rushmore, but she’s alone on Everest,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “There’s no one around.”

Becky Hammon

Wilson celebrated the victory with a pink tambourine at the post-game press conference, adding humor and emphasis to his answers.

“This is the symbol of the joy we have at this moment,” Wilson commented. “And I am grateful.”

A’ja Wilson

Hammon, who played in the WNBA from 1999 to 2014, emphasized that the Aces are already one of the biggest franchises in the league.

“The evolution of the game… these players are bigger, stronger, faster, and more skilled,” Hammon stated. “The dynasties of the past laid the foundation and showed how to win and really contributed a lot to the WNBA in terms of history.

Becky Hammon

The coach also added that the current skill level is incomparable, reflecting the natural evolution of a major league. The Aces’ season wasn’t easy. After a 53-point loss, the team bounced back with a 16-game winning streak at the end of the regular season, securing the second seed in the playoffs. They overcame challenging series in the first round and the semifinals before dominating the Finals.

“I love being their coach. I like being their friend. Sometimes I push them until they don’t like it a little bit, but I’m invested in their greatness,” said Hammon, who took over as Aces coach in 2022 and has a 10-2 record in the WNBA Finals. “This one hits different because it was different. There was probably a lot more adversity than any of us anticipated. We’re all human, and we’re humans who wanted to do well and do well together.”

Becky Hammon

The Aces failed to consolidate in the early months of the season, but despite the doubts, the team’s confidence never wavered, according to point guard Chelsea Gray.

“We had confidence in ourselves. I’m really proud of how we just stayed the course and trusted the process the whole time,” Gray said.

Chelsea Gray

The Aces recovered from a difficult start to dominate the WNBA Finals. “This hits different because it was different,” commented coach Becky Hammon.While the Aces struggled to find their rhythm, the Minnesota Lynx led the league for much of the season, but were eliminated in the semifinals. The Mercury reached the Finals with momentum, but the Aces took control, winning Game 1 narrowly and Game 2 comfortably. Game 3 was decided with a game-winning shot by Wilson in the final seconds. The Aces were never at a disadvantage in Game 4, leading by 16 points at halftime and 14 entering the final quarter. Despite a comeback attempt by the Mercury, guided by assistant coach Kristi Toliver after the expulsion of coach Nate Tibbetts, the Aces maintained their lead and celebrated their third title, this time on the road. Gray and Jackie Young each scored 18 points, combining for 12 assists, while Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans added 22 points off the bench.

“I was like written in exile,” said Loyd, who won two titles with the Seattle Storm before arriving at the Aces. “But I ended up in the promised land.”

Jewell Loyd

With Wilson and Young, both former top draft picks, still in their prime, the Aces have the potential to join the select group of teams with four WNBA titles. However, the league’s free agency and negotiations over the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) raise questions about the team’s future. Mark Davis, owner of the Aces, avoided commenting on the CBA negotiations, but expressed his hope that an agreement would be reached that benefits the league. Off-court issues in the WNBA led to boos towards commissioner Cathy Engelbert during the trophy presentation. Gray responded by highlighting the quality of the players and the need to treat them with respect. Free agency and the WNBA’s labor issues will be resolved in the coming months, while the Aces will be able to reflect on their achievements this season.

“Good things happen to the right people,” Wilson said. “And that’s what you see in our locker room today.”

A’ja Wilson