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WNBA Finals 2023: Schedule, results, news and highlights – ESPN
Aces star A’ja Wilson expresses her emotions after being announced as the 2023 WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player. (1:34)
No Chelsea Gray. No Kiah Stokes. No problem.
Despite losing two of their starters to injury ahead of Wednesday’s Game 4, the Las Vegas Aces beat the New York Liberty 70-69 to become the first team in 21 years to win back-to-back WNBA titles.
A’ja Wilson had 24 points and 16 rebounds and was named Finals MVP. It was the Aces’ first win at Barclays Center this season in four tries.
The game, an instant classic, came down to the final possession, but Courtney Vandersloot‘s 3-point attempt didn’t hit the rim.
Las Vegas was playing without Gray, a point guard who was the 2022 Finals MVP, and Stokes, a center and defensive standout, after both sustained foot injuries in Game 3.
Since February, fans and experts had penciled in the Aces and Liberty in a battle of superteams for the 2023 title. But in the end, Las Vegas was the last team standing. The Aces became the first team to win back-to-back championships since the Los Angeles Sparks won in 2001 and 2002.
Here’s all the info you need for the Finals, including news, analysis and highlights.
Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon credits her time with the New York Liberty in getting her to where she is today.
Game 1: At Las Vegas 99, New York 82
Game 2: At Las Vegas 104, New York 76
Game 3: At New York 87, Las Vegas 73
Game 4: Las Vegas 70, at New York 69
Repeat after me: A’ja Wilson’s insatiable drive helps Aces run it back
Ranking the WNBA championship teams: Are 2023 Aces the new No. 1?
By their own standards, Liberty fall short of championship goal
Aces edge Liberty to secure second straight WNBA championship
Analysis: Can Aces still win title without Gray, Stokes?
‘Because Gods deliver’: Can Chelsea Gray guide Aces to back-to-back titles?
Wilson seeks advice from WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes
‘I know I can overcome’: Laney, Liberty look to bounce back in WNBA Finals
How Hammon, Aces are drawing inspiration from the 2014 Spurs
‘It’s taken time’: Why an Aces-Liberty WNBA Finals was inevitable
Finals primer: How the Aces and Liberty were built
Trendsetters: Hammon, Brondello just the start of former players as Finals coaches
WNBA Finals predictions: Can Aces repeat or will Liberty win first title?
Get ready for an epic WNBA Finals matchup between Aces, Liberty
The Las Vegas Aces win their second WNBA title in a row after Courtney Vandersloot misses the potential game-winning 3.
Aces close out Liberty for second consecutive WNBA title
By their own standards, Liberty fall short of championship goal
Giannis, Dawn Staley among stars to congratulate Aces on WNBA title
Aces join Lakers, Patriots and more as back-to-back champs
Repeat after me: A’ja Wilson’s insatiable drive helps Aces run it back
As a little girl, A’ja Wilson wanted to be the best at everything she did. Now she has led the Aces to the first back-to-back WNBA titles in 21 years, Michael Voepel writes.
Which WNBA championship team is the greatest of all time?
The 2000 Houston Comets have long been the standard as the best WNBA championship team. But with Las Vegas running it back, is there a new No. 1? Michael Voepel and Kevin Pelton rank all the former champs.
Leaders
Points: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas — 24
Rebounds: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas — 16
Assists: Jackie Young, Las Vegas — 7
Game 4 box score | Game 4 highlights
Jonquel Jones cooks the Aces for 27 points as the Liberty dominate Game 3 with an 87-73 victory.
Back home, Liberty defeat Aces to force Game 4
Analysis: The Liberty got their mojo back; could Gray injury swing Finals?
The Liberty survived elimination as the Aces lost for the first time in this postseason. Now all eyes are on the severity of Chelsea Gray’s injury, writes Michael Voepel and Alexa Philippou
Leaders
Points: Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas — 29
Rebounds: Breanna Stewart, New York — 12
Assists: Sabrina Ionescu, New York — 11
Game 3 box score | Game 3 highlights
Three Aces surpass 20 points on the night as Las Vegas beats New York 104-76 in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals.
‘They’re the real deal’: Aces on cusp of second title
Voepel: Inside the first quarter that put Las Vegas one win away from a repeat
Las Vegas leads 2-0 after hitting seven of its first nine shots, including four 3s, and scoring a WNBA Finals-record 38 points in the opening period, Michael Voepel writes.
Leaders
Points: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas, 26
Rebounds: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas, 15
Assists: Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas — 11
Game 2 box score | Game 2 highlights
Aces outscore the Liberty by 20 points in the second half to take Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.
Aces dominate Liberty late to win Finals opener
‘Nobody is safe from KP’: Tom Brady, Kelsey Plum banter after Game 1 win
Philippou: How the Aces took a 1-0 lead over the Liberty in Finals
The Liberty led by three points at half. They trailed by 13 early in the fourth. What went wrong for New York? What adjustments did Las Vegas make? The Aces stepped up their defense and guard play, Alexa Philippou writes.
Leaders
Points: Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas — 26; Jackie Young, Las Vegas — 26
Rebounds: Jonquel Jones, New York — 10
Assists: Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas — 9
Game 1 box score | Game 1 highlights
