Aces edge Liberty to secure 2nd straight WNBA championship - ESPN

NEW YORK — The Las Vegas Aces became the WNBA's first repeat champions in over 20 years on Wednesday behind a 70-69 Game 4 victory over the New York Liberty to win the Finals series 3-1.

Las Vegas closed out its title run despite being without starting point guard Chelsea Gray and starting center Kiah Stokes, who both suffered foot injuries in Game 3.

The team saw the injuries as simply another obstacle to overcome in what was a roller-coaster season on and off the court. Players have cited their chemistry and closeness as what allowed them to persevere — and now do the improbable by defeating a tough New York team on its home floor without a defensive force in Stokes and their offensive conductor in Gray.

«We've been facing adversity all season, playing without different players.… We have some professional fighters,» said Alysha Clark, who was pressed into the starting lineup Wednesday. «To weather the storm of everything we went through, to show up every single day. To be in this moment right now and do it together, it speaks volumes about us, our chemistry.»

The Aces seized this moment: With Clark and Cayla George (in her first playoff start) taking Gray's and Stokes' places in the starting lineup, and Sydney Colson seeing an extended run, the Aces overcame a 12-point deficit to storm ahead by two going into the final frame and, despite a late New York rally, never trailed in the fourth quarter. The Aces are the second team in WNBA history to clinch a title with a one-point win, joining the 2016 Sparks, who beat the Lynx 77-76 in Game 5.

A'ja Wilson paced the Aces with 24 points and 16 rebounds, and was named Finals MVP, adding to her collection of trophies and accolades which already included last season's title, a