The Las Vegas Aces are back-to-back WNBA champions after defeating the New York Liberty 70-69 on Wednesday night.
After trailing by as much as 12 points in the third, Las Vegas closed the quarter out on a 21-7 run. Playing without star guard Chelsea Gray, the Aces were led by two-time MVP A’ja Wilson who had 24 points and 16 rebounds. Wilson earned WNBA Finals MVP honors after averaging 21 points and 12.5 rebounds per game in the Finals.
Las Vegas became the first WNBA team to repeat since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001 and 2002 after a dominant regular season where they went 34-6.
The sports world reacted to the Aces’ second WNBA title in a row:
Around the basketball world
It’s been 7,718 days since a WNBA team went back-to-back.
Welcome to an exclusive club, @LVAces!
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) October 19, 2023
Congrats, champs! 🏆👏 https://t.co/3Ms80jnqFa
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) October 19, 2023
Congrats @_ajawilson22 and @Aye_itslaylay – 💍 them!!! https://t.co/P6DqV8S7im
— South Carolina Women’s Basketball (@GamecockWBB) October 19, 2023
I am so happy proud for my @GamecockWBB babies @Aye_itslaylay @_ajawilson22 on being @WNBA Champs!! They got their first @NCAA natty together now this…..a coach’s dream when they win on…
