Las Vegas Aces' WNBA three-peat bid tangled in controversy - ESPN

LAS VEGAS ACES owner Mark Davis clapped his hands as he stood next to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert. They both grinned widely as the celebration of the 2023 champions kicked off the 2024 season.

Davis pumped his fists when coach Becky Hammon walked onto the court. He wrapped her in a warm embrace. Hammon looked at Engelbert and unzipped her white hoodie with a laugh. She was wearing the same Alice + Olivia floral blazer sported by Engelbert. The two shared a hug as the celebration rolled on.

A chorus of guttural barks escorted Kelsey Plum's arrival to the ring ceremony. The embodiment of the Aces' swagger, «Plum Dawg» once barked at Aces minority owner Tom Brady, who was among the first to take his place on the court. Chelsea Gray, who missed the clinching game of the Finals against the Liberty with a foot injury, walked onto the court holding her 3-month-old son, his ears covered by baby headphones. Davis bowed and fans chanted «MVP» when A'ja Wilson strolled into the spotlight.

The crowd at Michelob Ultra Arena counted down from 10, and the players flung open their jewelry boxes to reveal the grandiose evidence of their stature: Rings featuring the Aces logo, made up of 34 diamonds to represent each of their regular-season victories. The phrase «Back 2 Back,» etched onto the right panel, honored the first WNBA repeat champions since the L.A. Sparks in 2001-02. On the left panel was each player's name, number and position.

«We're back,» Davis said. «Not only are we back, we're back-to-back world champions. All I can say is let's three-peat.»

As the banner rose to the rafters, the Aces looked carefree and invincible. A month earlier, the WNBA held its annual draft and welcomed Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and the