LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The Las Vegas Aces hung their second straight WNBA championship banner, then got right back to work with a season-opening win on Tuesday night.
The 2023 WNBA Championship banner was raised to the rafters of Michelob ULTRA Arena before tip-off and members of last season’s back-to-back champs also received their rings in a pre-game ceremony.
But after all of the celebrating, there was still a game to be played. The Aces held off a valiant effort from the visiting Phoenix Mercury, emerging with an 89-80 victory. Phoenix’s 3-point shooting kept them in the game (15-of-36), and the Aces led by a single point at halftime.
The Mercury rallied late in the game, coming back from a double-digit deficit to make it a three-point game with 1:17 left. But the Aces made their free throws down the stretch to ice the season-opening win.
A’ja Wilson, fresh off the announcement of her own signature shoe with Nike, led the way for the Aces with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young also finished in double figures.
The Aces return to the court on Saturday for a home game against the Los Angeles Sparks.
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