The Las Vegas Aces are the newest WNBA champions after they won Sunday’s Game 3 against the Connecticut Sun, 78-71, becoming the third team to win their first-ever title in the last four years after the Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky did it in 2019 and 2021.
THAT’S GAME!!!!!! THE LAS VEGAS ACES ARE YOUR 2022 @WNBA CHAMPIONS 🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/HA2gqVJBOh
— WSLAM (@wslam) September 18, 2022
The Aces were led by Chelsea Gray (20 points, five rebounds, and six assists on 2-3 shooting from beyond the arc.) and Riquana Williams (17 points off the bench on 5-9 shooting from long distance.) Kelsey Plum contributed 15 points, three dimes, and three steals. Jackie Young dropped 13 points, and A’ja Wilson followed up with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks.
https://t.co/hVRdHQk7s9 pic.twitter.com/UvvVwON4mA
— Dearica Marie Hamby (@dearicamarie) September 18, 2022
While Game 4 matched Connecticut’s preferred style of play, low-scoring and defense-oriented, the Aces were able to prevail and win a game that the Sun made sure they mucked up in every way possible. The Aces finished Sunday on an 8-0 run to take home their first WNBA Finals. Williams highlighted that run with a lethal stepback over Natasha Hiedeman that gave Las Vegas a decisive 76-71 lead over the Sun.
“You see it. You see it,” Wilson said during the Aces’ on-court celebration. “This is what we’re building. This is what we’re doing. This is it. I’m so happy right now.”
RIQUANA WILLIAMS EVERYONE (via @wnba) pic.twitter.com/0N0xGAsyH1
— WSLAM (@wslam) September 18, 2022
Las Vegas’ title caps off a banner year for the Aces, who took home the Commissioner’s Cup, MVP (Wilson), All-Star Game MVP (Plum), Defensive Player of the Year honors (Wilson), Most Improved Player (Young), and Coach of the Year (Coach Becky Hammon). Hammon is the first in WNBA history to win a title in her first season as a head coach. Hammon worked as an assistant on Gregg Popovich’s coaching staff on the San Antonio Spurs for eight years.
“She’s been absolutely unbelievable, and I guess this legitimizes the way we went after her,” said Davis per ESPN. “I can’t wait to see what these rings are going to look like.”
Hammon changed up Las Vegas’ offensive philosophy this season, challenging the Aces to take more three-pointers than ever. The Aces responded by going 343-951 from beyond the arc, taking 519 more triples than they did last season (162-432). Wilson made 31 three-pointers during the regular-season. Wilson won her second MVP this season and has now added a title and an Olympic gold medal, cementing her place as a WNBA legend by 26-years-old.
All of Las Vegas’ key players are returning next season, giving the Aces a chance to be the first WNBA team to win consecutive championships since the Los Angeles Sparks did it in 2001-2002.
“It’s a commitment to wanting to keep a group together,” said Gray, who also won a title with Los Angeles in 2016. “You think about the teams in the past who kept a core group together, like Minnesota or Phoenix or Seattle, it’s a commitment to excellence and wanting to leave a legacy.
“I think especially with a first-year head coach, our bond got even a little tighter and stronger. For the organization to understand what it takes to not just do it one year, but try to do it multiple years, that’s when you’re talking about a more legendary franchise. Hopefully, that’s what we can be.”
The Aces will celebrate their title run with a championship parade on Tuesday at 5:30 P.M pacific time.
