Meet the Aces: A deeper look at the 2025 WNBA champions
Summary
The Las Vegas Aces won their third WNBA championship in four seasons after offseason tweaks and a key trade-deadline addition. A’ja Wilson led the charge with an outstanding regular season and an even better postseason, while core players and role contributors — Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, NaLyssa Smith and Dana Evans — provided the balance and clutch plays that sealed the title. Coach Becky Hammon’s management of roles and roster chemistry continues to define this emerging dynasty.
Key Points
- A’ja Wilson dominated: 23.4 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 3.1 apg; first player in WNBA history to be MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP and scoring leader in the same season.
- Jackie Young stepped up offensively and in big moments, averaging 16.5 ppg and delivering playoff heroics including a 32-point, 10-assist game in the semis.
- Chelsea Gray provided veteran playmaking and lockdown defence with playoff highs in assists and multiple multi-steal games.
- Jewell Loyd accepted a bench role to become the spark — Aces were 18-1 with her as Sixth Player and she shot 41% from deep in the playoffs.
- Trade-deadline addition NaLyssa Smith gave the frontcourt fresh legs and efficient scoring, notably strong in key playoff minutes.
- Bench and role players (Dana Evans, Kierstan Bell, Kiah Stokes, Megan Gustafson, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Aaliyah Nye) supplied energy, defence and specific situational value.
- Becky Hammon’s coaching and role management are central to the Aces’ sustained success and culture of winning.
- The team’s run drew high TV viewership and a championship parade, underlining the franchise’s growing national profile.
Content Summary
The article profiles each member of the Aces’ championship roster, listing season averages and highlighting what each player contributed to the title run. A’ja Wilson’s season is the headline — she maintained elite efficiency, set a WNBA record with 13 30-point games and produced her best postseason yet.
Jackie Young improved her shooting efficiency and produced several clutch performances in the playoffs. Chelsea Gray, despite fewer shot attempts, ran the offence and was a defensive force. Jewell Loyd shifted to a bench role midseason and became a powerful sixth-player spark for the team.
NaLyssa Smith, acquired at the deadline, didn’t pile up gaudy regular-season numbers but boosted the Aces’ frontcourt depth and shot 58% in the playoffs. Dana Evans emerged as an emotional and scoring spark off the bench, setting a WNBA mark for five 3s off the bench in Game 1. The piece also notes the quieter but important contributions of veterans like Kiah Stokes and role players such as Megan Gustafson, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Aaliyah Nye.
Context and Relevance
This roster breakdown explains how the Aces built championship depth: star dominance plus deliberate role players and midseason roster moves. The piece is useful for readers tracking the rise of a WNBA dynasty, the tactical decisions behind championship teams, and the league’s broader growth — high viewership and local celebration accompany the team’s on-court success.
Why should I read this?
Short answer: if you follow the WNBA or care about how modern champions are built, this is exactly the quick, no-nonsense roster guide you need. It tells you who did what — the big stats, the clutch moments and the bench players nobody wants to lose — so you don’t have to trawl through box scores yourself.