The Clash of Superteams: Las Vegas Aces Head to the 2023 WNBA Finals

Upsets and surprises in sports playoffs are always thrilling, but sometimes a showdown between heavyweights is what fans truly crave. The 2023 WNBA Finals is set to deliver just that, as the No. 1 seed Las Vegas Aces prepare to face the No. 2 seed New York Liberty in a best-of-five series. The stage is set, and the basketball world is abuzz with excitement as these two superteams go head-to-head for the championship.

The Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas will be the battleground for Games 1, 2, and, if needed, Game 5, starting October 8th, with fans eagerly anticipating what promises to be a basketball spectacle. Both Las Vegas and New York have showcased extraordinary talent throughout the season, earning them the well-deserved moniker of superteams. Despite their reservations about the title, their records speak volumes, with the Aces finishing the regular season at the top with a remarkable 34-6 record and the Liberty securing the second spot at 32-8.

For the Las Vegas Aces, this journey to the Finals represents a chance to defend their WNBA championship crown. The team is led by the dynamic 2022 MVP A'ja Wilson and boasts an impressive track record, having made three Finals appearances in the past four years. On the other side, the New York Liberty, guided by the 2023 MVP Breanna Stewart, are making their fifth appearance in the WNBA Finals, although their last appearance was 21 years ago in 2002 when they were defeated by the Los Angeles Sparks.

Adding an extra layer of intrigue to this Finals matchup is the fact that both head coaches, Las Vegas' Becky Hammon and New York's Sandy Brondello, were former WNBA players. This marks the first time in WNBA history that two former players will meet as head coaches in the Finals. Brondello even reminisces about her time coaching Hammon during her playing days, highlighting the unique journey both coaches have taken to reach this point.

Interestingly, both the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty have deep-rooted WNBA histories. The Aces franchise originally started as the Starzz in Utah in 1997 before moving to San Antonio at the end of 2002 and finally landing in Las Vegas in 2018. Similarly, the Liberty, also an original WNBA franchise, have seen their share of ups and downs since their establishment at the league's founding in 1997.

In a fun twist, both Finals cities, Las Vegas and New York, have their own "Statue of Liberty." While the original stands proudly in New York Harbor, a replica graces the New York-New York Hotel and Casino, not far from Mandalay Bay, where the Aces' arena is located. It's a symbol of the unity of two cities separated by geography but united in their love for basketball.

As the 2023 WNBA Finals unfold, the basketball world eagerly awaits to see if the New York Liberty can clinch their first title or if the Las Vegas Aces will achieve the rare feat of back-to-back championships, a feat last accomplished by the 2001-2002 Los Angeles Sparks. Regardless of the outcome, Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon, a former Liberty player, is determined to lead her team to victory. But beyond the competition, both coaches acknowledge that the spotlight on New York is fantastic for the league. With a lineup of superstars and a myriad of captivating storylines, the 2023 WNBA Finals promises to be an unforgettable series that fans and players alike have been eagerly awaiting.