Las Vegas Aces: WNBA Champions! Third title in 4 years

The Las Vegas Aces are crowned WNBA champions for the third time in four years! In a dominant display, the team defeated the Phoenix Mercury with a score of 97-86, solidifying their position as the reigning dynasty in the league. This triumph marks the culmination of a four-game sweep by the Mercury in the first best-of-seven WNBA Finals in history.

A’ja Wilson, the undisputed star

Aces superstar 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 MVP award. Wilson averaged 28.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the Finals.

She is alone on Everest. There is no one around.

Becky Hammon, Aces coach

Wilson celebrated 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 right now. And I am grateful.

A’ja Wilson

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

The skill level of these players, for me, is not comparable. It’s a natural evolution. That’s the sign of any great league; it doesn’t stay the same.

Becky Hammon, Aces coach

The Aces’ season was not easy. After a 53-point defeat, the team went on a 16-game winning streak that secured them the second seed in the playoffs. They overcame challenging series before dominating the Finals.

I love being their coach. I love being their friend. Sometimes I push them until they don’t like it a little, but I’m invested in their greatness. This title is different because it was different. There was much more adversity than any of us anticipated.

Becky Hammon, Aces coach

The Aces, who didn’t find themselves in the first two and a half months of the season, showed their resilience.

We had confidence in ourselves. I am very proud of how we stayed the course and trusted the process the whole time.

Chelsea Gray, Aces guard

The Mercury reached the Finals with great momentum, but the Aces neutralized it. The Aces won Game 1 by a narrow margin, Game 2 comfortably, and Game 3 thanks to a game-winning shot by Wilson in the last second. In Game 4, the Aces were never behind on the scoreboard, leading by 16 points at halftime and 14 going into the final quarter, after Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts was ejected. With assistant coach Kristi Toliver guiding the Mercury, the team got within six points in the final quarter. However, the Aces held firm and celebrated their third title. Gray and Jackie Young each scored 18 points, combining for 12 assists, while Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans contributed 22 points off the bench.

I ended up in the promised land.

Jewell Loyd

Only the Lynx, Storm, and Comets have four WNBA titles. With Wilson and Young, at their best, the Aces could join that exclusive group. However, the team’s future will depend on the players’ decisions. Almost all players not on rookie contracts will be free agents for the 2026 season. Before free agency begins, the league and the players’ union will need to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement and conduct expansion drafts for Portland and Toronto, two new franchises in 2026. Collective bargaining negotiations and off-court issues for the league were major topics. The fans booed Commissioner Cathy Engelbert when she presented the championship trophy to the Aces and the Finals MVP trophy to Wilson.

We have great players. You need to treat them like that.

Chelsea Gray

Labor issues and WNBA free agency will unfold in the coming months. In the meantime, the Aces can reflect on everything they experienced and achieved this season.

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

A’ja Wilson