Before the 2023 WNBA season tipped off in May, all the discussion centered around the league’s two super-teams, the Aces and the Liberty.
On Sunday, in front of a jam-packed Michelob ULTRA Arena that included the likes of Tom Brady, LeBron James, and other celebrities, it was the Aces' star-studded lineup that reached new heights as Las Vegas cruised to a 99–82 victory in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.
In the win, two-time MVP A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young combined for 91 points, securing the most points all-time by a quartet in a WNBA Finals contest. Las Vegas also became the first team in WNBA Finals history to have four players finish with 15 or more points and five rebounds in a game.
Young and Plum each registered 26 points, while Gray finished with 20 points and Wilson tallied 19 points. Yet at halftime, Las Vegas trailed New York, 49-46.
The @LVAces today are the first team in WNBA Finals history to have 4 players each with 15+ PTS and 5+ REB:
— Across the Timeline (@WBBTimeline) October 8, 2023
Jackie Young: 26 PTS / 5 REB
Kelsey Plum: 26 PTS / 5 REB
Chelsea Gray: 20 PTS / 6 REB
A'ja Wilson: 19 PTS / 8 REBhttps://t.co/QbzP5bTHFl
However, the Aces outscored the Liberty, 53-33, in the second half to secure the series-opening win. The two teams will return to the court on Wednesday for Game 2 of the series.
