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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLas Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson, center right, holds up her MVP trophy after Game 4 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Phoenix Mercury, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo\/Rick Scuteri)<\/p>\n
On this night, there were no bigger stars than the Aces, who overcame a 14-14 start to the season and a pair of rugged playoff series before sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals.<\/p>\n
Leti Poblete and her husband, Dion, watched the Aces\u2019 first two championship parades in 2022 and 2023 on television. They weren\u2019t about to miss a chance at attending the third.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo glad we did,\u201d Leti Poblete said. \u201cIt was an amazing experience. It was exciting to be with the rest of the Aces fans, and it was awesome to see the players up close and on top of their bus! I even caught their 2025 WNBA Championship souvenir towels.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are really proud of these awesome basketball players and incredible women. This basketball dynasty represents Las Vegas well.\u201d<\/p>\n
From kids to senior citizens to political dignitaries, Toshiba Plaza was packed for a fourth professional championship since 2022, the Aces winning three and the NHL\u2019s Golden Knights winning the Stanley Cup in 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should do it again next year,\u201d said coach Becky Hammon, who wore her signature hoodie blazer, this one with \u201cGRATITUDE\u201d emblazoned in gold across the back.<\/p>\n
Hammon, who just completed her fourth season with the Aces, said this year\u2019s squad was her easiest to coach.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey came in and worked their tails off, no matter the circumstances,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is one of the most resilient, high-character groups.\u201d<\/p>\n
After losing several key pieces to the core of their previous championship rosters, the Aces welcomed many new faces and needed nearly three months to jell before reeling off 16 straight wins to end the regular season and earn the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a special, special group; we prayed together and were popping Campagne together,\u201d said four-time MVP A\u2019ja Wilson, who became emotional when speaking about Hammon\u2019s dedication toward each player. \u201cShe believed in us when no one did. We go nowhere without Becky Hammon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Admitting she wanted to keep her speech short to avoid becoming emotional, midseason acquisition NaLyssa Smith looked at her teammates on the stage and said, \u201cY\u2019all changed my life.\u201d<\/p>\n