The Las Vegas Aces Do It Again!

The Aces were ecstatic as they piled up on each other at the center of the court, celebrating their 70-69 win over the Liberty in Game 4 and securing their second consecutive WNBA title on Wednesday night. They had experienced this joy before, but this time it was even more special. They had overcome injuries, adversity and a formidable opponent to make history as the first team to repeat as champions in two decades. “It’s harder to do it again,” coach Becky Hammon said after the Aces took the Finals series 3-1. “It’s sweeter this time. It just is.”

The Aces joined the elite company of the Comets (1997-2000) and the Sparks (2001-02) as the only franchises to win back-to-back championships. “We never gave up, and this is a moment that we need to celebrate,” said A’ja Wilson, who was named Finals MVP. “This is a moment that not a lot of people get a chance to do it, and for us to do it shorthanded, it is truly amazing. It just makes winning that much better.”

The Aces faced a rowdy crowd at Barclays Center, where the Liberty had drawn huge support and celebrity sightings throughout the week. But the Aces silenced them with a comeback from 12 points down to take a two-point lead going into the fourth quarter. The Liberty fought back and tied the game several times, but the Aces never relinquished their lead in the fourth quarter and clinched their title with a defensive stop on the final possession after a Liberty miss. Wilson led the way for the Aces with 24 points and 16 rebounds, adding another trophy to her impressive resume that already included a national championship at South Carolina, gold medals with Team USA at the World Cup and Olympics, and two league MVP awards. She became the first player in WNBA history with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals-clinching win.

The Aces were the favorites to repeat as champions after dominating the regular season with a 34-6 record and leading the league in both offensive and defensive rating (113.0 and 97.7, respectively). They earned the No. 1 overall seed and breezed through the playoffs, losing only one game to the Liberty in Game 3 of the Finals. The Liberty were considered their biggest threat, with a star-studded roster built in the offseason. The Liberty had beaten the Aces twice in the regular season and also in the Commissioner’s Cup championship game. But in the Finals, the Aces showed why they are one of the greatest teams in WNBA history.

They beat the Liberty by a combined 45 points in Games 1 and 2, setting up their victory in Game 4. Becky Hammon, who was hired before the 2022 season, has now won a WNBA title in each of her first two seasons as a head coach. The only other coaches who have done that in the WNBA or NBA are Van Chancellor (who led the Houston Comets to the WNBA’s first four championships) and John Kundla of the Minneapolis Lakers (1948-49 and 1949-50).

The Aces have cemented their place in WNBA lore as repeat champions, and they are not done yet. Their core of Wilson, Plum, Young and Gray is under contract for 2024 and will aim for a three-peat next year – and perhaps start a dynasty of their own.

As of writing, there is no set date for the championship parade, but both the team and Clark County officials have hinted at a celebration on Monday, October 23rd. Additionally, last year's celebration was held between Ceasar's Palace and the Bellagio fountains, areas of the Strip that are under heavy construction for November's F1 race.