The Las Vegas Aces became WNBA champions for the first time in their history after defeating the Connecticut Sun 78-71 in Game 4 of the final round.
Las Vegas, which reached the round of 16 last season, decided the final in their favor with a third win to one loss, knowing that the team that won three out of five matches ahead of their opponent would decide the title.
This is the first New Aces title in Las Vegas, having previously been based in Salt Lake City and San Antonio before moving to Las Vegas in 2018. It is also the first national title ever won by a Nevada team in all sports.
“We didn’t like that feeling last year,” the Chelsea star Grey, referring to last year’s semi-final defeat in the fifth and final game against Phoenix, said.
“It was very difficult, but it helped us to build character,” added the 29-year-old, who was named the best player in the final round.
Gray scored 20 points on Sunday with six assists and was a big contributor to Las Vegas’ victory, along with Aya Wilson, who has 11 points and 14 rebounds, the regular season’s best player, and 17 points from Recona Williams.
“It’s amazing,” said Wilson, 26. “Winning the championship is something that no one can take away from you if your name remains on it forever.”
Las Vegas Coach Becky Hammon and former assistant coach of the legendary San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich called these moments “a little unrealistic.”
The 45-year-old former New York and San Antonio player won the title in her first year as a WTA head coach.
“But most of all, I am proud that we have become a real team here, a close-knit team that believes in each of its members,” she said.
Source: El Iktisad