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Las Vegas Aces

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Article Genealogy
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Las Vegas Aces
NameLas Vegas Aces
Founded1997
HistoryUtah Starzz (1997–2002), San Antonio Silver Stars (2003–2013), San Antonio Stars (2014–2017), Las Vegas Aces (2018–present)
ArenaMichelob Ultra Arena
LocationParadise, Nevada
ColorsBlack, red, gold
OwnerMark Davis
General managerNatalie Williams
Head coachBecky Hammon
LeagueWomen's National Basketball Association
ConferenceWestern Conference
Championships2 (2022, 2023)
Conf titles2 (2022, 2023)

Las Vegas Aces. The Las Vegas Aces are a professional basketball franchise competing in the Women's National Basketball Association as a member of the Western Conference. Owned by Mark Davis, the team plays its home games at the Michelob Ultra Arena within the Las Vegas Strip's Mandalay Bay resort. Since relocating from San Antonio in 2018 and under the leadership of head coach Becky Hammon, the franchise has emerged as a modern dynasty, winning consecutive WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023.

History

The franchise originated in 1997 as one of the original eight teams, founded in Salt Lake City as the Utah Starzz. After the 2002 season, the team relocated to Texas and was renamed the San Antonio Silver Stars, operating under the ownership group of Peter Holt and the San Antonio Spurs. The franchise rebranded to the San Antonio Stars in 2014 before being purchased in 2017 by MGM Resorts International, which moved the team to Nevada. Following the 2021 season, ownership was transferred to Mark Davis, owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. A pivotal moment in the team's trajectory was the 2022 hiring of former San Antonio Spurs assistant and NBA pioneer Becky Hammon as head coach, which catalyzed their championship success.

Franchise achievements

The team has captured two WNBA championships, defeating the Connecticut Sun in 2022 and the New York Liberty in 2023. Key individual honors include Becky Hammon winning the WNBA Coach of the Year Award in 2022 and A'ja Wilson earning the WNBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2020 and 2022, as well as the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2022 and 2023. The franchise has also been represented in numerous WNBA All-Star Game selections, with players like Chelsea Gray, the 2022 WNBA Finals MVP, and Kelsey Plum, the 2022 WNBA All-Star Game MVP, receiving accolades.

Home arenas

During its tenure in Utah, the team played at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. After moving to San Antonio, its primary venue was the AT&T Center, home of the San Antonio Spurs. Since relocating to Nevada in 2018, the franchise has played all its home games at the Michelob Ultra Arena (formerly Mandalay Bay Events Center) within the Mandalay Bay resort on the Las Vegas Strip. The intimate, 12,000-seat arena is known for creating a formidable home-court advantage and is a central venue for major events like the NBA Summer League.

Players and personnel

The roster has been headlined by two-time MVP and franchise cornerstone A'ja Wilson. Other essential players include point guard Chelsea Gray, shooting guard Kelsey Plum, and forward Jackie Young. The front office is led by general manager Natalie Williams, a former Utah Starzz player and member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Head coach Becky Hammon, a former WNBA All-Star and six-time NBA All-Star assistant with the San Antonio Spurs, oversees basketball operations. The ownership of Mark Davis provides stability and links the organization to the broader Las Vegas Raiders sports ecosystem.

Season-by-season records

The franchise's early years in Utah and San Antonio were marked by limited postseason success, with a single WNBA Finals appearance in 2008 as the San Antonio Silver Stars. After the move to Las Vegas, the team, led by A'ja Wilson, secured its first playoff berth in 2019. The 2020 season, played in the "Wubble" at IMG Academy in Florida, saw the team reach the WNBA Finals but fall to the Seattle Storm. The 2021 season ended in a semifinals loss to the Phoenix Mercury. The 2022 and 2023 campaigns resulted in franchise-record win totals and consecutive championships, establishing the team as a dominant force in the Women's National Basketball Association.

Culture and community

The team has cultivated a strong identity centered on toughness and offensive firepower, often dubbed "Aces Basketball." The fan base, known as the "Aces Nation," packs the Michelob Ultra Arena, creating one of the league's most electric atmospheres. Community initiatives are extensive, with players and staff regularly participating in programs across the Las Vegas Valley, focusing on youth basketball clinics, educational outreach, and partnerships with local charities. The franchise's success and high-profile ownership have significantly elevated the profile of professional women's sports in the Nevada market and contributed to the growing sports culture in Las Vegas.

Category:Women's National Basketball Association teams Category:Sports in Las Vegas Category:Basketball teams in Nevada Category:1997 establishments in the United States