5 things you didn’t know about Aces 2nd consecutive WNBA championship
The Las Vegas Aces have done it again and are the first team in 21 years to win consecutive WNBA titles. Las Vegas defeated the New York Liberty, 70-69, in Game 4 to secure the win. The contest was the most-watched Game 4 in WNBA history, and the WNBA Finals were the most-watched in 20 years, up 36% from 2022.
There were 16,851 people in attendance to see the Aces clinch the title. Aces superstar A’ja Wilson was named the Finals MVP and recorded 24 points and 16 rebounds, her 18th playoff double-double. Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot scored 19 points and was one of four Liberty players to score in double figures.
The Aces trailed by as many as 12 in Game 4, the second-largest comeback in a title-clinching win. The top spot is held by the 2021 Chicago Sky, who were down 14 to beat the Phoenix Mercury.
The Aces will celebrate their championship with a parade on Oct. 23.
Aces are the 3rd team to win consecutive WNBA titles
The Aces are the 3rd team to win consecutive WNBA titles, joining Comets (1997-2000) and Sparks (2001-02).
A'ja Wilson's 3rd career playoff game with 20 points and 15 rebounds (a WNBA record) is the first in a title-clinching win. pic.twitter.com/JtTWvhMag9
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 19, 2023
The Aces join the Houston Comets (1997-2000) and Los Angeles Sparks (2001-02) to become only the third team in WNBA history to win back-to-back titles.
A'ja Wilson is the 6th player to be a No. 1 draft pick, league MVP and Finals MVP
Players in WNBA history to be a No. 1 draft pick, league MVP, and Finals MVP:
– A'ja Wilson
– Breanna Stewart
– Candace Parker
– Diana Taurasi
– Lauren Jackson
– Maya Moore pic.twitter.com/fsHsdrej6w— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 19, 2023
A’ja Wilson joins an elite group of WNBA players who have been a No. 1 draft pick, league MVP and Finals MVP. The list includes: Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, Lauren Jackson and Maya Moore.
Candace Parker becomes the 1st player to win a title with 3 different teams
With the title in 2023, Candace Parker becomes the 1st player in WNBA history to win a title with 3 different teams.
2023 – Aces🏆
2021 – Sky🏆
2016 – Sparks🏆 pic.twitter.com/O0tJZLNEtW— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 19, 2023
Candace Parker has cemented herself as one of the best players in WNBA history, if not the best. And now she has made WNBA history by becoming the first player to win a title with three teams: Aces, the 2021 Chicago Sky and the 2016 Los Angeles Sparks.
Aces had the 2nd-largest comeback in a title-clinching win
The Aces trailed by as many as 12 and fought back to win their 2nd straight title.
That's the 2nd-largest comeback in a title-clinching win, trailing only the 2021 Sky, who came back from down 14 to beat the Mercury.
h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/miZtWVT4cJ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 19, 2023
The Aces trailed by as many as 12 in Game 4, which is the second-largest comeback in a title-clinching win. The top spot is held by the 2021 Sky, who were down 14 to beat the Phoenix Mercury.
Most-watched Game 4 and WNBA Finals in 20 Years
Wednesday's #RaiseTheStakes Championship-clinching win over #LightItUpNYL was the #WNBAFinals most-watched Game 4 on record#WNBA on ESPN viewership highlights for the 2023 season ➡️ https://t.co/zdJBc73MgV pic.twitter.com/q4NiLo3lta
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) October 19, 2023
Game 4 of the 2023 WNBA Finals averaged 889,000 viewers, the most-watched WNBA Games 4 Finals on record, and up 124% from Game 4 in 2022. The game peaked at 1.3 million viewers and had an average of 889,000 viewers.
