The WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces have been an instrumental piece of the professional sports renaissance that has enveloped the city in recent years. With Mandalay Bay’s dynamic Michelob Ultra Arena serving as home court, the team relocated from San Antonio before the 2018 season and made an immediate impact in the league and on the Strip with an exciting, fast-paced style of play and a highly competitive approach.
The franchise was founded in Utah in 1997 as one of the original eight teams in the league, a strong history that really resonates right now as the WNBA celebrates its 25th anniversary season and record-setting growth. In January, Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis bought the Aces, paving the way for both professional teams to work together to raise the profile of sports in Las Vegas.
After a short break for the rescheduled Olympic Games in Tokyo where an astonishing five Aces players represented their respective countries on the court—the WNBA season resumes this week and
the Aces are back in action at Mandalay Bay against the Washington Mystics on Aug. 15 and 17. The team will hit the road after that, returning for more home games in Las Vegas on Sept.2 and 5 against the Chicago Sky.
After a dominant start to the season, the Aces are currently resting in second place in overall league standings, in great position for another deep playoff run after winning their way into the conference finals last year. Leading the way once again is reigning MVP A’ja Wilson, the 6-foot-4 all-star forward averaging 19.4 points and 9 rebounds per game.
“We came into this season with a lot of confidence and we know what we bring to the table,” Wilson said.
The Aces also rely on steady play from 6-foot-8 center Liz Cambage, one of the most dominant players in the league, and her 14.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. On the perimeter, guard Kelsey Plum is having a banner year after sitting out last season rehabbing a serious knee injury. She’s responded with 13.5 points per game coming off the bench while providing limitless energy and pinpoint shooting. “I feel like I’m in a really good place and I’m grateful to have such a great team around me. It hasn’t been easy but the work has been worth it,” Plum said of her impressive comeback.
Add two-time Sixth Woman of the Year award winner Dearica Hamby and first-year Aces player Chelsea Gray, a perennial all-star who has seamlessly transitioned into the starting point guard role this season, and you’ve got a recipe for a championship contender this season. You’ve also got one of the most exciting teams to watch in the WNBA today, a very different kind of fabulous show on the Las Vegas Strip.
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