Aces aspire for more ahead of second straight Ring Night

Having ditched the red and gold accents in the franchise’s colorway, the Las Vegas Aces are ready to start the journey to another potential historic season.

Fresh off back-to-back championships, the team has resorted back to its roots and as a nod to its days in San Antonio will return to the white, silver and black tint. The change also allows the team to share the same hues as owner Mark Davis’ NFL team, the Las Vegas Raiders.

Regardless of the color of the uniform, the intention to bring another momentous title to the valley remains for head coach Becky Hammon and company. Already with the WNBA’s first back-to-back championships in over 20 years, the pursuit now shifts to chasing the W’s first three-peat since the Houston Comets’ four-title run at the start of the league.

One season after closing out the Connecticut Sun in four games, Las Vegas downed New York in the same count to hoist the trophy on the Barclays Center floor. The win came with the team down three starters including defensive staple Kiah Stokes, all-star guard Chelsea Gray and future Hall-of-Famer Candace Parker.

Two weeks ago, Parker announced her retirement from the WNBA, leaving as a former league MVP and three-time champion.

The core is still intact for the most part with this veteran group including two-time WNBA MVP and two-time Defensive Player of the Year A’ja Wilson. Entering this season, she is listed as the favorite to win this year’s honor.

To make things even sweeter, Wilson entered the team’s lone preseason game against Puerto Rico in South Carolina donning a Nike hoodie that announced her new signature sneaker. Her branded shoe with the company is set to release in 2025.

The guard trio of the aforementioned Gray, Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum also return for the Aces with the first two having signed extensions this offseason that takes them through 2025.

Plum’s contract is set to expire after this season.

Two of the three back-to-back champion guards will be ready to go for the team’s season opener May 14 but Gray is expected to miss the game as she recovers from a lower left leg injury.

Four new pieces have been added to the Las Vegas fold to go along with key pieces like third-year guard Kierstan Bell and last year’s Sixth Player of the Year Alysha Clark. Two of those four pieces are incoming rookies Kate Martin and Dyaisha Fair while veterans Emma Cannon and Megan Gustafson round out the field.

This year’s league schedule is expected to have a lot more eyes on it as a result of the continued growth of the league. A league that is expected to expand from 12 teams to 14 by the 2026 season beginning with the Golden State Valkyries next year.

Last year’s regular season was up 16% from the year prior with numbers expected to increase this upcoming season.

In a much anticipated move, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently announced the league’s intention to charter flights for all teams throughout the regular season and postseason moving forward.

Las Vegas will open its season Tuesday, May 14 against Phoenix from the Michelob Ultra Arena.