Three of a kind: Aces celebrate latest WNBA title with Las Vegas parade

Eight years to the day that the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors confirmed the relocation of the San Antonio Stars to Las Vegas, the Aces celebrated their third championship in four years with a parade down the famed Strip on Friday night.

"We're back!" exclaimed owner Mark Davis, donning a white satin team jacket on stage at the Toshiba Plaza outside T-Mobile Arena. "Las Vegas, we are world champions."

Led by a group of classic low-rider automobiles, bouncing on their tricked-out hydraulics, five double-decker buses traveled from Tropicana Avenue down Las Vegas Boulevard. The last one in the convoy carried the Aces, who threw streamers and confetti over the thousands of fans, many of whom began arriving four hours before the start of the parade, that lined a street which has played host to the world's biggest stars for more than half a century.

On Friday, though, none shone brighter than the Aces, who overcame a 14-14 start to the season and two rugged playoff series before sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals.

Leti Poblete and her husband, Dion, watched the Aces' first two championship parades in 2022 and 2023 on television. They weren't about to miss the chance to attend the third.

"So glad we did," Leti Poblete said. "It 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 one of their 2025 WNBA Championship souvenir towels.

"We are really proud of these awesome basketball players and incredible women. This basketball dynasty represents Las Vegas well."

From kids to senior citizens and political dignitaries, Toshiba Plaza was packed for a fourth professional sporting championship since 2022 — the Aces winning three and the NHL's Golden Knights winning the Stanley Cup in 2023.

"We should do it again next year," said coach Becky Hammon, who wore her signature hoodie blazer, this one with "GRATITUDE" emblazoned in gold across the back.

Hammon, who just completed her fourth season with the Aces, said this year's squad was her easiest to coach.

"They came in and worked their tails off, no matter the circumstances," she said. "This is one of the most resilient, high-character groups."

After losing several core members of their previous championship rosters, the Aces welcomed many new faces and needed nearly three months to gel before reeling off 16 straight wins to end the regular season and earn the No 2 seed in the playoffs.

"This is a special, special group; we prayed together and were popping champagne together," said four-time MVP A'ja Wilson, who became emotional when speaking about Hammon's dedication toward each player. "She believed in us when no one did. We go nowhere without Becky Hammon."

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: "Y'all changed my life."

Jackie Young, who's been a part of the team for all three championships and is always known to keep her commentary short and sweet, was exactly that when it was her turn to speak.

"Just know, we not done yet," Young said with a mic drop.

The celebration ended with confetti and fireworks littering the sky, while Queen's We Are The Champions blared through the sound system. Musical acts Crime Mob, Ludacris and Mya performed live.

"Now this is a parade," said first-year Ace and three-time WNBA champion Jewell Loyd. "I've been to some other ones, but this one? This one hits a little different."

Agencies via Xinhua