LAS VEGAS (AP) — Eight years after the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors confirmed the San Antonio Stars' move to Las Vegas, the Aces celebrated their third championship in four years with a parade down the famed Strip on Friday night.
“We're back!” exclaimed owner Mark Davis as he donned a white satin team jacket on stage at Toshiba Plaza outside T-Mobile Arena. “Las Vegas, we are world champions.”
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Led by a group of low-slung classic cars showing off their hydraulics, five double-decker buses traveled from Tropicana Boulevard to Las Vegas Boulevard, the last of which carried aces who tossed pennants and confetti to the thousands of fans who began arriving four hours before the parade began and lined the road famous for some of the world's greatest headliners of the 1960s Rat Pack era.
There were no bigger stars on the night than the Aces, who overcame a 14-14 start to the season and a pair of tough playoff series before dispatching the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals.
From children to seniors to political figures, Toshiba Plaza was packed for its fourth professional championship since 2022, with the A's winning three and the NHL's Golden Knights winning the Stanley Cup in 2023.
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“We have to do this again next year,” said coach Becky Hammon, who wore her signature hooded jacket, this time with “GRATITUDE” written in gold on the back.
Hammon, who just completed her fourth season with the A's, said this year has been her easiest time coaching the team.
“They showed up and worked as hard as they could, no matter the circumstances,” she said. “This is one of the most resilient and strong groups.”
After losing several key pieces from the core of their previous championship lineups, the Aces welcomed many new faces and took nearly three months to get their act together before reeling off 16 straight wins to finish the regular season and earn their second playoff berth.
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“This is a special, special group; we prayed together and made Campagne together,” said four-time MVP Aja Wilson, who became emotional when talking about Hammon’s dedication to each player. “She believed in us when no one else did. We're not going anywhere without Becky Hammon.”
Admitting that she wanted to keep her speech short to avoid getting emotional, midseason acquisition Nalissa Smith looked at her teammates on stage and said, “You changed my life.”
Jackie Young, who was part of the team at all three championships and has always been known for her short and sweet comments, was just that when it was her turn to speak.
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“Just know we’re not done yet,” Young said, dropping the microphone.
The celebration ended with confetti and fireworks scattered across the sky while Queen's “We Are The Champions” blared from the sound system.
Musical groups Crime Mob, Ludacris and Mya performed live.
“Now it’s a parade,” Ace freshman and three-time WNBA champion Jewell Loyd said.
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AP VNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
W. G. Ramirez, Associated Press
