The WNBA champions title has been claimed by the Las Vegas Aces. They secured their victory by defeating the Connecticut Sun 3-1 in the WNBA Finals series.
The Aces secured the first-ever professional championship trophy for Las Vegas, winning the final game in Uncasville, CT with a score of 87-81.
In the last game of the season, Chelsea Gray took the lead with 20 points and six assists. With an average of 18.3 points in the championship series, she bagged the WNBA Finals MVP.
The victory concludes a successful season for the Aces, who were projected as -110 favorites to claim the WNBA Championship at the season’s start. Despite experiencing highs and lows throughout the season, the Aces managed to retain their favored position at Nevada sportsbooks to win the WNBA Championship as they entered the playoffs.
This is the inaugural championship for the franchise that relocated to Las Vegas from San Antonio. The victory also delivered a championship to their owner, Mark Davis.
The owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, Davis, achieved quite a feat. He missed the Raiders’ home opener to celebrate with the Aces.
On Tuesday, Las Vegas will commemorate the victory with a rally and brief parade on the Vegas Strip.
The Aces, a team situated in the ideal city with celebrity and athlete supporters, have the potential to significantly boost the popularity of the WNBA.
The Las Vegas Aces have won the 2022 WNBA Championship 🏆 #RaiseTheStakes pic.twitter.com/KaV2cijHYf
From Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) on September 18, 2022
Las Vegas Aces are future favorites at Nevada sportsbooks
Although Gray secured the Finals MVP title, she was not the top player on the best team in the regular season. The regular season MVP award was won by A’ja Wilson.
The Aces are already considered the favorites to secure the 2025 WNBA Championship.
The Westgate Superbook has pegged the Aces as the 9/4 favorites to reclaim the trophy in Las Vegas next season. The team boasts a roster laden with star players set to propel them into the future.
A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Kelsey Plum, collectively known as the “Big 3,” have all signed multi-year contract extensions. Jackie Young, the 2022 WNBA Most Improved Player, has also signed a multi-year extension this year.
Besides having the best players stay with the Aces, the team also boasts an exceptional coach.
Aces have the highest paid WNBA coach
The Aces had a wealth of talent, beginning with their highest-paid head coach, but a championship is never a certainty. Becky Hammon departed from the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs to take up the head coach position at the Aces.
With a salary of $1 million per season, Hammon earns more than any other WNBA coach.
Not only was this a fantastic year for the players, but the Aces’ head coach also experienced a phenomenal season. Alongside leading the team to their first-ever WNBA Championship victory in franchise history, Hammon garnered several accolades this season.
- Championship of the Commissioner’s Cup
- Year’s Best Coach
- Head Coach of the All-Star Team
- Top Overall Performance
Hammon inked a five-year contract to ensure the Aces’ championship dominance extends far into the future.
Celebrating the championship on the Vegas Strip
This Tuesday at 5:30 pm, the Vegas Strip will host a celebration for the Aces WNBA Championship. A portion of the Vegas Strip will be closed for several hours during this event.
A brief half-mile parade will take place from Caesars Palace to the Bellagio Fountains. The Aces will speak to fans in front of the renowned fountains.
Despite the parade being short, there isn’t a more beautiful backdrop for a celebration in Las Vegas.
Carolyn Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas, is all set to party with the Aces. She expressed her excitement through a tweet on Sunday night.
The Aces are an entertaining team and the upcoming celebration is anticipated to be a great time for everyone present.
Las Vegas Aces are taking the WNBA to another level
The Aces hold a prominent position among the most popular WNBA teams, enjoying unparalleled support from fans, celebrities, professional athletes and even an international casino operator, a feat unmatched by any other team in the league.
Often, celebrities and professional athletes can be seen watching games at the Michelob Ultra Arena inside Mandalay Bay.
A host of past and present NBA players, including Ty Lue, Kyle Lowry, Buddy Hield, and Ja Morant, attended game 2 of the WNBA Finals in Las Vegas.
Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback in the NFL, took to Twitter to show support for Kelsey Plum and the Aces, while some athletes were on the court.
Let’s get moving! @LVAces @Kelseyplum10 @WNBA https://t.co/fpR6widy9f
From Tom Brady (@TomBrady), September 19, 2022
The Aces’ popularity in Sin City gets a boost from sharing an owner with the Las Vegas Raiders. On Sunday, there was a live cut-in during the Raiders game at Allegiant Stadium to showcase the Aces’ celebration of their victory.
Before being sold to Davis, the Aces were purchased by MGM Resorts. The global casino operator continues to partner with the team, which plays at an arena located within an MGM casino.
The Las Vegas Aces, with their exceptional players, coach, and ownership, coupled with celebrity fans and backing from other professional athletes, could potentially elevate the WNBA to unprecedented popularity.
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