2023 Las Vegas Aces season

Last updated

2023 Las Vegas Aces season
WNBA champions
Coach Becky Hammon
Arena Michelob Ultra Arena
Attendance9,551 per game
Results
Record346 (.850)
Place1st (Western)
Playoff finishWNBA Champions (Defeated New York Liberty 3–1 in WNBA Finals)
Team Leaders
Points A'ja Wilson – 22.8 ppg
ReboundsA'ja Wilson – 9.5 rpg
Assists Chelsea Gray – 7.3 apg

The 2023 Las Vegas Aces season was the franchise's 27th season in the Women's National Basketball Association and the sixth year the franchise is based in Las Vegas - after relocating from San Antonio and Utah. This was also the second season under head coach Becky Hammon. They were the defending WNBA champions, after defeating the Connecticut Sun in the 2022 WNBA Finals.

Contents

The Aces largely kept their team intact after their championship season, only trading away Dearica Hamby, but signing former WNBA Champions Candace Parker and Alysha Clark in the offseason. This continuity proved positive in the first month of the season as the Aces went 4–0 in May. Their winning streak continued and went to seven games before they lost their first game of the season on June 8 to the Connecticut Sun. After the loss, they went on another seven game winning streak, and finished June 10–1. The winning streak continued into July, but ended on the third game of the month with a loss to Dallas. After the nine game winning streak, the Aces again won out in the month, finishing on a seven game winning streak, and finishing July with a 10–1 record. They managed to get their winning streak to eleven before losing to the New York Liberty on August 6. Their next loss would again come at the hands of New York, but this time it was in the Commissioner's Cup Final. The Aces defeated New York in the next regular season game, but would then lose to Los Angeles to end a four game regular season winning streak. The Aces won three of their next five games to finish August with an 8–4 record. During the month, they secured their playoff berth on August 2. They entered the final month of the season fighting with New York for the first seed. The Aces won all three games in September to secure the top seed on the last day of the season.

The Aces finished with a 34–6 regular season record, which was a franchise and WNBA record for number of wins. [1] This was also the first season where the WNBA played 40 games. Their .850 winning percentage was a franchise record but not a WNBA record. The Aces finished as the first seed for the playoffs.

As the first seed, the Aces faced off against the eighth seed Chicago Sky and would host the first two games of the three game series. The Aces didn't lose a quarter in Game One and took the game 87–59. The Aces dominated Game Two in similar fashion, not losing a quarter, and winning the game 92–70 to move on to the Semifinals. In the Semifinals, the Aces faced off against the Dallas Wings. The Aces would host the first two games of the five game series, and game five, if necessary. The Aces dominated Game One, only losing the fourth quarter, but winning the game 97–83. Dallas managed to win two quarters in Game Two, but the Aces won the game 91–84. Game Three, was much closer in Dallas, but the Aces used a strong second half to win the game 64–61 and moved on to the 2023 WNBA Finals.

In the Finals, the Aces faced off against the second seed, New York Liberty. The teams faced each other five times during the regular season, going 2–2 against each other, but the Aces lost the Commissioner's Cup. The Aces used a strong second half to win Game One 99–82. In Game Two, they dominated the first quarter, and again dominated the second half to win 104–76. The Aces only needed to win one of the last three games to retain their title. The Liberty clawed one game back in New York, winning Game Three 87–73. In Game Four, the Aces, as they often had in the playoffs, had a strong second half, and won the game 70–69. The Aces became the first team since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2002 to win back to back WNBA Championships, taking the Finals three games to one.

Transactions

WNBA draft

RoundPickPlayerNationalitySchool/Team/Country
336Brittney DavisFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States Alabama

Transactions

DateDetails
January 21, 2023Traded Dearica Hamby and a 2024 First-Round Pick to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for the negotiating rights to Amanda Zahui B and a 2024 Second-Round Pick [2]
February 1, 2023Signed Candace Parker to a 1-Year Deal [3]
Signed Alysha Clark to a 2-Year Deal [4]
Signed Cayla George to a 1-Year Deal [5]
Signed Alexis Peterson and Courtney Range to Training Camp Contracts [6]
February 5, 2023Traded the negotiating rights to Amanda Zahui B to the Washington Mystics for 2024 and 2025 Second-Round Picks [7]
February 6, 2023Waived Iliana Rupert [8]
Signed Sydney Colson to a Training Camp Contract [9]
February 7. 2023Signed Kiah Stokes to a 1-Year Deal [10]
April 12, 2023Signed Elizabeth Balogun to a Training Camp Contract [11]
April 14, 2023Signed Brittany Davis to a Rookie Scale Contract
April 24, 2023Waived Elizabeth Balogun [12]
May 9, 2023Waived Aisha Sheppard, Courtney Range, and Brittany Davis [13]
May 15, 2023Waived Alexis Peterson [14]
June 30, 2023Signed A'ja Wilson to a Contract Extension [15]
July 19, 2023Signed Ashley Joens to a 7-Day Contract [16]
July 26, 2023Signed Ashley Joens to a 2nd 7-Day Contract [17]
August 6, 2023Signed Alaina Coates to a 7-Day Contract [18]
August 10, 2023Signed Alaina Coates to a 2nd 7-Day Contract [19]
August 16, 2023Signed Alaina Coates to a 3rd 7-Day Contract
August 23, 2023Signed Alaina Coates to a Hardship Contract [20]

Roster Changes

Roster

2023 Las Vegas Aces roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
F 1 Flag of the United States.svg Bell, Kierstan 6' 1" (1.85m)176 lb (80kg)03-16-2000 Florida Gulf Coast 1
F 7 Flag of Israel.svg Clark, Alysha 5' 11" (1.8m)167 lb (76kg)07-07-1987 Middle Tennessee 10
C 81 Flag of the United States.svg Coates, Alaina 6' 4" (1.93m)225 lb (102kg)04-07-1995 South Carolina 4
G 51 Flag of the United States.svg Colson, Sydney 5' 8" (1.73m)140 lb (64kg)1989-08-06 Texas A&M 8
F/C 13 Flag of Australia (converted).svg George, Cayla 6' 4" (1.93m)192 lb (87kg)05-01-1989 Australia 3
G 12 Flag of the United States.svg Gray, Chelsea 5' 11" (1.8m)170 lb (77kg)1992-10-08 Duke 8
F/C 3 Flag of the United States.svg Parker, Candace   Cruz Roja.svg 6' 4" (1.93m)184 lb (83kg)1986-04-19 Tennessee 15
G 10 Flag of the United States.svg Plum, Kelsey 5' 8" (1.73m)145 lb (66kg)1994-08-24 Washington 5
C 41 Flag of Turkey.svg Stokes, Kiah 6' 3" (1.91m)191 lb (87kg)1993-03-30 Connecticut 7
G 2 Flag of the United States.svg Williams, Riquna 5' 6" (1.68m)165 lb (75kg)1990-05-28 Miami (FL) 10
F 22 Flag of the United States.svg Wilson, A'ja 6' 4" (1.93m)195 lb (88kg)1996-08-08 South Carolina 5
G 0 Flag of the United States.svg Young, Jackie 6' 0" (1.83m)165 lb (75kg)1997-09-16 Notre Dame 4
Head coach
Flag of the United States.svg Becky Hammon (Colorado State)
Assistant coaches
Flag of the United States.svg Natalie Nakase (UCLA)
Flag of the United States.svg Tyler Marsh (Birmingham–Southern)
Flag of the United States.svg Charlene Thomas-Swinson (Auburn)
Athletic trainer
Flag of the United States.svg Michelle Anumba (Duke



Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Depth Chart

Pos.StarterBench
PG Chelsea Gray Sydney Colson
SG Kelsey Plum Riquna Williams Cruz Roja.svg
SF Jackie Young Alysha Clark
Kierstan Bell
PF Candace Parker Cruz Roja.svg Cayla George
C A'ja Wilson Kiah Stokes

Schedule

Preseason

2023 pre-season game log
Total: 1–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–0)
May: 1–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 13 New York W 84–77 Kelsey Plum (22) Chelsea Gray (8) Peterson
Plum (3)
Michelob Ultra Arena
4,460
1–0
2023 pre-season schedule

Regular Season

2023 game log
Total: 34–6 (Home: 19–1; Road: 15–5)
May: 4–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 20@ Seattle W 105–64 Plum
Young (23)
A'ja Wilson (13) Chelsea Gray (6) Climate Pledge Arena
11,229
1–0
2May 25@ Los Angeles W 94–85 Jackie Young (30) A'ja Wilson (13) Chelsea Gray (8) Crypto.com Arena
7,314
2–0
3May 27 Los Angeles W 93–65 A'ja Wilson (23) Kiah Stokes (9) Chelsea Gray (7) Michelob Ultra Arena
10,191
3–0
4May 28 Minnesota W 94–73 Jackie Young (23) Candace Parker (8) Chelsea Gray (10) Michelob Ultra Arena
7,970
4–0
June : 10–1 (Home: 6–0; Road: 4–1)
July : 10–1 (Home: 4–0; Road: 6–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
16July 1 Connecticut W 102–84 Kelsey Plum (25) A'ja Wilson (13) Candace Parker (8) Michelob Ultra Arena
8,596
15–1
17July 5 Dallas W 89–82 Jackie Young (28) A'ja Wilson (13) Chelsea Gray (6) Michelob Ultra Arena
10,177
16–1
18July 7@ Dallas L 78–80 Kelsey Plum (21) Parker
Stokes (6)
Kelsey Plum (6) College Park Center
6,251
16–2
19July 9@ Minnesota W 113–89 Kelsey Plum (40) A'ja Wilson (10) Chelsea Gray (10) Target Center
7,701
17–2
20July 11 Phoenix W 98–72 Jackie Young (23) A'ja Wilson (8) Chelsea Gray (11) Michelob Ultra Arena
10,281
18–2
21July 12@ Los Angeles W 97–78 A'ja Wilson (25) A'ja Wilson (12) Gray
Young (5)
Crypto.com Arena
8,085
19–2
22July 20@ Seattle W 79–63 A'ja Wilson (23) A'ja Wilson (15) Chelsea Gray (8) Climate Pledge Arena
7,873
20–2
23July 22@ Minnesota W 98–81 A'ja Wilson (35) A'ja Wilson (14) Chelsea Gray (11) Target Center
7,801
21–2
24July 25@ Chicago W 107–95 Kelsey Plum (27) Kiah Stokes (17) Chelsea Gray (9) Wintrust Arena
9,025
22–2
25July 30 Dallas W 104–91 Kelsey Plum (28) A'ja Wilson (7) Chelsea Gray (8) Michelob Ultra Arena
10,213
23–2
August : 8–4 (Home: 5–1; Road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
26August 1 Atlanta W 93–72 Jackie Young (24) A'ja Wilson (11) Chelsea Gray (7) Michelob Ultra Arena
8,366
24–2
27August 6@ New York L 61–99 Jackie Young (16) A'ja Wilson (7) Chelsea Gray (6) Barclays Center
11,418
24–3
28August 8@ Dallas W 104–84 A'ja Wilson (28) A'ja Wilson (14) Kelsey Plum (8) College Park Center
5,193
25–3
29August 11 Washington W 113–89 A'ja Wilson (40) A'ja Wilson (12) Gray
Plum (10)
Michelob Ultra Arena
9,364
26–3
30August 13 Atlanta W 86–65 A'ja Wilson (21) Kiah Stokes (12) Chelsea Gray (6) Michelob Ultra Arena
8,564
27–3
Commissioner's Cup Final August 15 New York L 63–82 Jackie Young (16) Gray
Stokes (6)
Kelsey Plum (6) Michelob Ultra Arena
8,967
31August 17 New York W 88–75 Chelsea Gray (22) Chelsea Gray (11) Chelsea Gray (11) Michelob Ultra Arena
9,230
28–3
32August 19 Los Angeles L 72–78 A'ja Wilson (25) A'ja Wilson (9) Chelsea Gray (7) Michelob Ultra Arena
10,348
28–4
33August 22@ Atlanta W 112–100 A'ja Wilson (53) Chelsea Gray (9) Chelsea Gray (12) Gateway Center Arena
3,209
29–4
34August 24@ Chicago W 94–87 Jackie Young (24) Wilson
Young (10)
Chelsea Gray (10) Wintrust Arena
8,084
30–4
35August 26@ Washington L 62–78 Kelsey Plum (21) A'ja Wilson (11) Chelsea Gray (4) Entertainment and Sports Arena
4,200
30–5
36August 28@ New York L 85–94 Jackie Young (24) A'ja Wilson (8) Chelsea Gray (9) Barclays Center
11,615
30–6
37August 31 Washington W 84–75 A'ja Wilson (26) A'ja Wilson (11) Kelsey Plum (10) Michelob Ultra Arena
8,619
31–6
September : 3–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
38September 2 Seattle W 103–77 A'ja Wilson (30) Kiah Stokes (11) Chelsea Gray (9) Michelob Ultra Arena
9,319
32–6
39September 8@ Phoenix W 94–73 A'ja Wilson (30) A'ja Wilson (9) Chelsea Gray (12) Footprint Center
13,206
33–6
40September 10 Phoenix W 100–85 A'ja Wilson (36) A'ja Wilson (8) Chelsea Gray (8) T-Mobile Arena
17,406
34–6
2023 season schedule

Playoffs

2023 playoff game log
First Round vs. Chicago
Won Series: 2–0
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1September 13 Chicago W 87–59 Chelsea Gray (20) Kiah Stokes (15) Chelsea Gray (7) T-Mobile Arena
12,927
1–0
2September 17 Chicago W 92–70 A'ja Wilson (38) A'ja Wilson (16) Chelsea Gray (9) Michelob Ultra Arena
9,000
2–0
Semifinals vs. Dallas
Won Series: 3–0
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1September 24 Dallas W 97–83 A'ja Wilson (34) Jackie Young (10) Jackie Young (7) Michelob Ultra Arena
9,784
1–0
2September 26 Dallas W 91–84 A'ja Wilson (30) A'ja Wilson (11) Chelsea Gray (8) Michelob Ultra Arena
9,286
2–0
3September 29@ Dallas W 64–61 Chelsea Gray (15) A'ja Wilson (13) Kelsey Plum (7) College Park Center
6,251
3–0
Finals vs. New York Liberty
Won Series: 3–1
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1October 8 New York W 99–82 Plum
Young (26)
A'ja Wilson (8) Chelsea Gray (9) Michelob Ultra Arena
10,300
1–0
2October 11 New York W 104–76 A'ja Wilson (26) A'ja Wilson (15) Chelsea Gray (11) Michelob Ultra Arena
10,232
2–0
3October 15@ New York L 73–87 Kelsey Plum (29) A'ja Wilson (11) Jackie Young (5) Barclays Center
17,143
2–1
4October 18@ New York W 70–69 A'ja Wilson (24) A'ja Wilson (16) Jackie Young (7) Barclays Center
16,851
3–1
2023 playoff schedule

Standings

#Team
W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1xLas Vegas Aces 346.85018–219–115–59–1
2xNew York Liberty 328.800216–415–517–37–3
3xConnecticut Sun 2713.675714–613–714–67–3
4xDallas Wings 2218.5501211–911–911–96–4
5xAtlanta Dream 1921.4751511–911–98–126–4
6xMinnesota Lynx 1921.4751512–89–1110–105–5
7xWashington Mystics 1921.475159–1112–87–135–5
8xChicago Sky 1822.450165–157–1311–93–7
9eLos Angeles Sparks 1723.425179–1110–107–135–5
10eIndiana Fever 1327.325215–156–147–132–8
11eSeattle Storm 1129.275238–124–167–134–6
12ePhoenix Mercury 931.225252–188–121–191–9

Notes

(#) – League Standing
x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from postseason contention
Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings

Playoffs

Round One:
Best-of-3
Semifinals:
Best-of-5
Finals:
Best-of-5
         
1 Las Vegas Aces 2
8 Chicago Sky 0
1 Las Vegas Aces 3
4 Dallas Wings 0
4 Dallas Wings 2
5 Atlanta Dream 0
1 Las Vegas Aces 3
2 New York Liberty 1
2 New York Liberty 2
7 Washington Mystics 0
2 New York Liberty 3
3 Connecticut Sun 1
3 Connecticut Sun 2
6 Minnesota Lynx 1

Bold Series winner

Statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage TO  Turnovers per game
 PF  Fouls per gameTeam leaderLeague leader

Regular Season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
A'ja Wilson 404030.7.557.310.8129.51.61.42.222.8
Kelsey Plum 393932.4.475.389.9122.44.51.10.018.7
Jackie Young 404031.5.523.449.8674.03.81.30.117.6
Chelsea Gray 404032.2.490.421.8974.07.31.40.615.3
Candace Parker 181823.6.465.333.8935.43.71.50.99.0
Alysha Clark 39122.5.444.386.8183.41.10.60.26.7
Kierstan Bell 36011.8.346.244.6001.60.50.40.13.7
Cayla George 3208.5.288.234.0001.80.40.30.22.3
Kiah Stokes 402219.8.434.185.5005.90.60.71.02.2
Sydney Colson 2804.8.444.375.8330.40.80.30.01.3
Alaina Coates 1003.0.800.000.2501.00.00.20.00.9
Ashley Joens 203.0.000.000.0000.00.00.00.00.0


Waived/Released during the season
Traded during the season
Acquired during the season

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
A'ja Wilson 9933.2.554.500.83111.81.21.42.323.8
Kelsey Plum 9936.8.417.403.8753.23.81.30.018.3
Jackie Young 9934.8.421.415.9145.65.01.60.116.7
Chelsea Gray 8835.9.436.3551.004.86.81.51.015.6
Alysha Clark 9124.1.529.318.9294.41.30.30.18.2
Kiah Stokes 8826.1.563.5001.007.91.31.00.32.8
Cayla George 816.0.200.2501.000.60.50.40.01.6
Kierstan Bell 806.3.167.0001.000.80.30.40.31.3
Sydney Colson 704.9.250.000.0000.40.30.10.00.3
Alaina Coates 601.81.00.000.0000.80.00.20.00.3

Awards and honors

RecipientAwardDate awardedRef.
A'ja Wilson WNBA All-Star Starter & CaptainJune 25 [21]
Western Conference Player of the Week June 27 [22]
July 25 [23]
August 15 [24]
August 29 [25]
Player of the Month - June July 5 [26]
Player of the Month - July August 2 [27]
Player of the Month - August September 6 [28]
Defensive Player of the Year September 22 [29]
All-Defensive First Team September 22 [30]
All-WNBA First Team October 15 [31]
WNBA Finals MVP October 18 [32]
Jackie Young WNBA All-Star Starter June 25 [21]
All-WNBA Second Team October 15 [31]
Chelsea Gray WNBA All-Star Starter June 25 [21]
Western Conference Player of the Week August 2 [33]
All-WNBA Second Team October 15 [31]
Kelsey Plum WNBA All-Star July 1 [34]
Becky Hammon Coach of the Month - June July 5 [26]
Alysha Clark Sixth Player of the Year September 18 [35]

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References

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  2. "Sparks Acquire WNBA Champion Dearica Hamby". sparks.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  3. "Aces Sign Two-Time MVP, Two-Time WNBA Champion Candace Parker". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  4. "Aces Sign Two-Time Champion Alysha Clark". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  5. "Aces Sign Four-Time WNBL Champion Cayla George". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  6. "Aces Sign Alexis Peterson, Courtney Range To Training Camp Contracts". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  7. "Aces Acquire Pair Of Second Round Picks From Washington". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  8. "Aces Waive Iliana Rupert". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  9. "Aces Re-Sign Eight-Year WNBA Veteran Guard And WNBA Champion Sydney Colson". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  10. "Aces Re-Sign Seven-Year Veteran Center And WNBA Champion Kiah Stokes". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  11. "Aces Sign Duke Guard/Forward Elizabeth Balogun To Training Camp Contract". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  12. "Aces Waive Elizabeth Balogun". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  13. "Aces Waive Davis, Range, Sheppard". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  14. "Aces Waive Alexis Peterson". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  15. "Las Vegas Aces Sign Two-Time M'VP A'ja Wilson To Contract Extension". aces.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
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