Las Vegas Aces Owner Mark Davis To Packed House Of 10,419: ‘Let’s Three-Peat, Baby’ On Championship Ring And Banner Night; Aces 89 Phoenix 80 Tuesday

 

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Story by Alan Snel and Cassandra Cousineau    Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell

The big night for the Las Vegas Aces — and the WNBA — has arrived Tuesday.

A sellout crowd of about 10,000 is expected for the two-time champion Aces’ game against the Phoenix Mercury at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena.

It’s a big night for the WNBA, too.

The WNBA is expanding from 12 teams to San Francisco for franchise 13 in 2025 and to Toronto to team number 14 in 2026, plus team players will be able to travel via chartered flights instead of standard commercial flights starting this season.

 

The Aces’ A’ja Wilson has not only emerged as the face of the Las Vegas franchise.

Wilson has become an unofficial spokesperson for the growing WNBA and women’s sports by expanding her brand squarely into mainstream America with her best-selling book and business portfolio of endorsements that include her just-announced Nike signature sneaker, the “A’One.”

“We’re back. Not only are we back, we’re back-to-back world champions,” Aces owner Mark Davis said.

 

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert congratulated the two-time champs before the game, listing the Aces’ starters like Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum and Wilson. Engelbert told LVSportsBiz.com said the Aces’ back-to-back titles have helped lift the profile and exposure of the league.

“Let’s three-peat, baby,” Davis told the crowd, which included the Aces part-owners like former NFL Super Bowl champ Tom Brady. Even Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce was in the house, sitting courtside.

The Aces broke out to a big lead after the first quarter.

But the Phoenix Mercury, playing without center Brittney Griner, bounced back in the second quarter.

At halftime, the Aces’ lead was down to a single point, 42-41, with Wilson scoring 21 of the Aces’ 42 points.

The Aces, behind Wilson and Plum, led the Mercury, 68-62, after three quarters.

The team announced that attendance was 10,419.

The Aces draw some impressive courtside seat fans like Beast Mode Lynch, VGK goalie Logan Thompson, Money Mayweather and Antonio Pierce.

The Mercury began running of juice as the Aces gradually pulled away, leading 81-69, with 3:40 left in the fourth quarter.

With 1:45 to go, the Aces were up, 83-74, behind Wilson’s 30 points.

The Aces held on and defeated a pesky Phoenix squad, 89-80. Young added 23 points.

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