Aces Aim for Third Title Led by Stellar Trio Gray, Wilson, and Young

PHOENIX – The Las Vegas Aces are on the brink of making history in the WNBA Finals, leading the Phoenix Mercury 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. The core trio of Chelsea Gray, A'ja Wilson, and Kelsey Plum has been pivotal in this journey, bringing humility, accountability, and family values into their play.

In their four seasons together, the Aces have reached three WNBA Finals and won back-to-back championships, a feat unmatched in the league for over two decades. Gray’s elite playmaking and leadership have been vital in invigorating the team’s performance after a rocky start this season.

“It hurt them to their core what was going on,” said Aces assistant coach, who emphasized the need for Gray, Wilson, and Young to step up when the team struggled early in the season.

Gray has risen to the challenge, increasing her averaging assists and leading by example. In the playoffs, she has consistently delivered high performance, including a season-high 14 assists in a key game and a crucial 10 assists in Game 2 of the Finals.

“It’s that kind of bond that we can have conversations in the middle of the game,” said Gray, acknowledging her strong relationship with Wilson and Young, which allows them to adapt and thrive alongside each other on the court.

The Aces dominated the regular season with a 24-3 record after overcoming adversity earlier in the year, starting with a significant loss to the Lynx. Gray’s determination and exceptional skills are evident, with her shooting over 45% from 3-point range this postseason.

Both Wilson and Young have also made significant contributions, with Young scoring 21 points in a single quarter during the Finals. “They’re their biggest cheerleaders,” said assistant coach Thomas-Swinson regarding their camaraderie and dedication to each other.

As they head into Game 3 of the series, the Aces are one step closer to their third title in four years, aiming to join the Houston Comets as the only franchises to achieve such dominance. Gray expressed the profound significance of possibly winning another title with her longtime teammates, saying, “It’s been a journey. It’s been up and down. There has been tears. I’ll just be happy to do it with them – for sure.”