ROAD TO THE WNBA TITLE

It’s been almost five months, 46 regular and postseason games and approximately 1,850 minutes of basketball, but the Aces’ season has finally come to an end.

They are champions for the first time in their 26year history. They are Las Vegas’ first major-league, title-winning team. This might be the foundation of something bigger. For now, though, they are content to cherish their achievements.

“This year, right here,” 2022 WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson said after winning the championship, “is something I’m never going to forget.”

Regular season

If there was any adjustment to fit first-year coach Becky Hammon’s style, the Aces didn’t show it. A 13-2 start to the season confirmed the team as one of the league’s top contenders.

“(Hammon) started off from the beginning, making sure she is not going to be easy on us,” point guard Chelsea Gray said. “Just making sure that we are ready when the time comes.”

Fifth-year guard Kelsey Plum and fourth-year wing Jackie Young were the early stars for the Aces. Plum was a perfect fit for Hammon’s perimeteroriented offense, free to launch 3s whenever open. Young also showed off her improved 3-point shot. She had 19 points or more in seven of the first eight games.

Wilson also shined, announcing herself as an MVP candidate with a 35-point performance against the Los Angeles Sparks June 11.

The start wasn’t sustainable. On June 21, the reigning-champion Chicago Sky humbled the Aces by overcoming a 28-point deficit for a 104-95 win, the largest comeback in league history. The Aces dropped four of their next six games.

Defense was the cause of the Aces’ stumble entering the All-star break, and it cost them some personal glory. Four Aces — Plum, Young, Wilson and forward Dearica Hamby — were named to the July 10 All-star Game along with Hammon, but Gray wasn’t selected.

The Aces cleaned up their defense a bit after the All-star break, but it didn’t solve all their problems.

No one lost more shots due to the Aces’ poor defense than Hamby. The All-star forward thrived in transition early in the season, but saw her field goal attempts drop substantially near the Allstar break.

Her lack of touches coincided with a brutal 3-point shooting slump. Hammon moved Hamby to the bench Aug. 7 and promoted center Kiah Stokes to the starting lineup.

Hamby suffered a right knee bone contusion one game later, but Stokes proved valuable to the previously undersized starting lineup. The Aces gained valuable momentum by winning the final four games of the regular season.

Hammon was selected as the WNBA Coach of the Year, Young chosen as the WNBA Most Improved Player and Wilson was named both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. Wilson and Plum were also on the ALL-WNBA first team.

“Play the right way and everybody wins,” Hammon said. “And when we win, everything else takes care of itself.”