The Las Vegas Aces have established themselves as one of the league’s premier franchises and now they’re chasing down their third title following an 89-86 Game 1 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals.
With star players like A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young leading the roster, the team is pursuing its third ring in just four years, highlighting the Aces’ rise as a dominant force in women’s basketball.
The franchise began in 1997 as the Utah Starzz, transitioned to the San Antonio Stars, and eventually relocated to Las Vegas in 2018 and since that switch to the Michelob ULTRA Arena, success has followed rapidly.
Over the years, the Aces have steadily built a reputation for competitiveness and consistency, culminating in their recent championship successes but interestingly, historically, the Aces struggled to secure top postseason results.
However, but roster development and clever strategic leadership under head coach Becky Hammon have transformed the team into a championship contender and now they’re on the hunt once again.
Since the team’s inception, the franchise has made 15 playoff appearances, gradually improving its performance in the WNBA playoffs but it was in 2022 when the Aces achieved a historic milestone by winning their first franchise title.
Las Vegas defeated the Connecticut Sun 3-1 in the Finals, marking the first major professional sports championship for a Las Vegas-based team.
Chelsea Gray was named Finals MVP, while A’ja Wilson earned the WNBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors, underlining her impact on both ends of the court.
Then following season, in 2023, the Aces continued their dominance by defeating the New York Liberty 3-1 in the Finals to become back-to-back champions of women’s basketball.
The feat made the Aces the first team since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001 and 2002 to win consecutive titles as Wilson once again led the team and earned the Finals MVP award, cementing her legacy as one of the league’s premier players.
Through these accomplishments, the Las Vegas Aces have now won two WNBA championships, in 2022 and 2023 and with a talented roster, could title #3 follow in 2025? Game 2 of the WNBA Finals takes place on Sunday, October 5 from 15:00 ET/12:00 PT.
WNBA champions: A Full List of all playoffs winning teams
The WNBA Finals, held at the conclusion of every season since the league’s inaugural 1997 campaign, has crowned numerous franchises as champions. Prior to 2002, the championship series was officially called the WNBA Championship.
Over the years, teams such as the Houston Comets, Los Angeles Sparks, Detroit Shock, Minnesota Lynx, and Phoenix Mercury have all captured titles, creating a rich legacy of competition.
Here is a full list of winners below:
- 1997: Houston Comets defeated New York Liberty
- 1998: Houston Comets defeated Phoenix Mercury
- 1999: Houston Comets defeated New York Liberty
- 2000: Houston Comets defeated New York Liberty
- 2001: Los Angeles Sparks defeated Charlotte Sting
- 2002: Los Angeles Sparks defeated New York Liberty
- 2003: Detroit Shock defeated Los Angeles Sparks
- 2004: Seattle Storm defeated Connecticut Sun
- 2005: Sacramento Monarchs defeated Connecticut Sun
- 2006: Detroit Shock defeated Sacramento Monarchs
- 2007: Phoenix Mercury defeated Detroit Shock
- 2008: Detroit Shock defeated San Antonio Silver Stars
- 2009: Phoenix Mercury defeated Indiana Fever
- 2010: Seattle Storm defeated Atlanta Dream
- 2011: Minnesota Lynx defeated Atlanta Dream
- 2012: Indiana Fever defeated Minnesota Lynx
- 2013: Minnesota Lynx defeated Atlanta Dream
- 2014: Phoenix Mercury defeated Chicago Sky
- 2015: Minnesota Lynx defeated Indiana Fever
- 2016: Los Angeles Sparks defeated Minnesota Lynx
- 2017: Minnesota Lynx defeated Los Angeles Sparks
- 2018: Seattle Storm defeated Washington Mystics
- 2019: Washington Mystics defeated Connecticut Sun
- 2020: Seattle Storm defeated Las Vegas Aces
- 2021: Chicago Sky defeated Phoenix Mercury
- 2022: Las Vegas Aces defeated Connecticut Sun
- 2023: Las Vegas Aces defeated New York Liberty
- 2024: New York Liberty defeated Minnesota Lynx
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