LAS VEGAS, NV — The Las Vegas Aces have been on a dynamic journey ever sense they arrived in Sin City, and not only to capture a championship, but also win over the hearts and minds of a fan base that is ever growing. Putting the pieces together wasn’t easy, finding the right coach had its trial and error, getting the best owner had been a struggle before Mark Davis (owner of the Las Vegas Raiders), but like pieces to a puzzle, it would all come together for a masterpiece and in the words of the rapper Common, “one day it will all make sense.”
Fast forward to 2022, to some people’s surprise the Aces’ brass hired former WNBA player and former NBA assistant coach under San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, Becky Hammon. She created a staff, and immediately impacted her players by treating them as individuals as well as showing them how important moving as a collective can lead to success. The now 2022 Defensive Player of the Year and two-time MVP A’ja Wilson had to adjust to a new role. Jackie Young made some upgrades to her game, Kelsey Plum finessed her role and Chelsea Gray continued to be the ‘Point Gawd’ far better than anyone could ever imagine.
Fans followed the team through their successes and slumps throughout the season. However, fans never lost hope as the players never truly lost sight of the ultimate goal which is to bring a championship to one of the fastest growing media markets in the U.S.
“I think about it everyday. I have to bring a championship to this city,” Wilson said during
a recent shootaround.
As she was presented with her second WNBA MVP trophy in front of the Aces fans at Michelob Ultra Arena, they went crazy in support of their superstar. This team knows how to handle business on the floor as well as have fun with one another. This was evident in their intro video that blasted on the jumbo that featured the 1997 Ice Cube hit “We Be Clubbin’” a perfect theme song for the Las Vegas team. In front of 10,000 screaming and supportive fans, the Aces escaped with 67-64 win over a very tough and defensive-minded Connecticut Sun team, who was relentless on rebounding and being a force in the paint for the majority of Game One in the WNBA Finals.
t was the team’s first Finals win in franchise history.
The atmosphere was packed, the energy was lit, and it made you want to run out on the floor just to get a glimpse of what the players received while playing a tough forty minute game for a championship. Throughout the entire season, fans have supported their team consistently and unlike some WNBA cities, Las Vegas has truly embraced their franchise.
Could the city show more support? Sure, but they’re off to a fantastic start. There have been a variety of support from fans from purchasing merchandise, to the fans truly feeling like the city has a team to call it’s own.
With just two more wins, the Aces can make history by bringing the city it’s first championship by a professional team. It’s going to be a fight, especially battling a relentless team like the Sun for the next several games.
If any team has been battle tested in a season, through injuries, losing streaks and line-up changes, it has been the Aces.Give Hammon, the 2022 Coach of the Year, a ton of credit. She had a vision, is executing it, and is determined to bring the absolute best out of all of her players whether they lose by 10 or win by 20. She wants excellence on both ends of the floor.
The Aces host the Sun in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Tuesday, September 13 at 6PM PT at Michelob Ultra Arena.
