Vegas Aces Claim WNBA's First Double Title in 21 Years
The number one Las Vegas Aces secured their second consecutive WNBA title on Wednesday. They managed to beat the second-ranked New York Liberty with a 70-69 score in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, which took place at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. This victory makes them the first team in the WNBA to successfully defend their championship since the Los Angeles Sparks of 2002.
The achievement is even more commendable as the Aces were missing their star guard Chelsea Gray and center Kiah Stokes, who together averaged 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.9 assists for the team this season. Both players suffered foot injuries in Game 3.
With a 39-30 lead at the break, New York's team, led by 2023 MVP Breanna Stewart and guard Sabrina Ionescu, had a strong start. However, Las Vegas managed to claw their way back, with A’ja Wilson putting in 24 points and 16 rebounds, and Jackie Young scoring 16 points and contributing seven assists.
In the final minutes of the game, the Liberty's Courtney Vandersloot had a shot to level the series and force a Game 5. But her jump shot missed, and an ecstatic Aces team rushed to celebrate their historic back-to-back title at the center of the court.
“I'm so proud of my teammates,” an emotional Wilson, who was named the WNBA Finals MVP, told ESPN. “They were there for me when I was going through a tough time. We cried together, we prayed together, and now we're having a blast celebrating together!”
Aces head coach Becky Hammon expressed her confidence in her players, stating, “I have faith in each and every one of these ladies in the locker room. They have proven their resilience, and it's clear what they're made of. Win or lose, I am standing by them.”
The only conundrum the Aces now face is a delightful one — deciding where to have their second straight championship celebratory event. The Las Vegas Strip is currently undergoing a difficult period as it prepares to transform into a race track for the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix in less than a month.
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Source: www.casino.org
