Aces celebrate third WNBA
championship in 4 years with parade on Las Vegas Boulevard
[October 18, 2025]
By W.G. RAMIREZ
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Eight years to the day the WNBA and NBA Board of
Governors confirmed the relocation of the San Antonio Stars to Las
Vegas, the Aces celebrated their third championship in four years
with a parade down the famed Strip on Friday night.
“We’re back!” exclaimed owner Mark Davis, donning a white satin team
jacket on stage at the Toshiba Plaza outside T-Mobile Arena. “Las
Vegas, we are world champions.”
Led by a group of classic low-rider automobiles showing off their
hydraulics, five double-deck buses traveled from Tropicana Boulevard
down Las Vegas Boulevard, the last one carrying the Aces, who threw
streamers and confetti to thousands of fans who began arriving four
hours before the start of the parade and lined the road that's been
known for some of the world’s greatest headliners dating to the
1960s Rat Pack era.
On this night, there were no bigger stars than the Aces, who
overcame a 14-14 start to the season and a pair of rugged playoff
series before sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals.
Leti Poblete and her husband, Dion, watched the Aces’ first two
championship parades in 2022 and 2023 on television. They weren’t
about to miss a chance at attending the third.
“So glad we did,” Leti Poblete said. “It was an amazing experience.
It was exciting to be with the rest of the Aces fans, and it was
awesome to see the players up close and on top of their bus! I even
caught their 2025 WNBA Championship souvenir towels.
“We are really proud of these awesome basketball players and
incredible women. This basketball dynasty represents Las Vegas
well.”
From kids to senior citizens to political dignitaries, Toshiba Plaza
was packed for a fourth professional championship since 2022, the
Aces winning three and the NHL’s Golden Knights winning the Stanley
Cup in 2023.
“We should do it again next year,” said coach Becky Hammon, who wore
her signature hoodie blazer, this one with “GRATITUDE” emblazoned in
gold across the back.
Hammon, who just completed her fourth season with the Aces, said
this year’s squad was her easiest to coach.
“They came in and worked their tails off, no matter the
circumstances,” she said. “This is one of the most resilient,
high-character groups.”
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Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson celebrates during a rally to
celebrate the team's WNBA championship Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Las
Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)
After losing several key pieces to the core of
their previous championship rosters, the Aces welcomed many new
faces and needed nearly three months to jell before reeling off 16
straight wins to end the regular season and earn the No. 2 seed in
the playoffs.
“This is a special, special group; we prayed together and were
popping Campagne together,” said four-time MVP A’ja Wilson, who
became emotional when speaking about Hammon’s dedication toward each
player. “She believed in us when no one did. We go nowhere without
Becky Hammon.”
Admitting she wanted to keep her speech short to avoid becoming
emotional, midseason acquisition NaLyssa Smith looked at her
teammates on the stage and said, “Y’all changed my life.”
Jackie Young, who’s been a part of the team for all three
championships and is always known to keep her commentary short and
sweet, was exactly that when it was her turn to speak.
“Just know, we not done yet,” Young said with a mic drop.
The celebration ended with confetti and fireworks littering the sky
while Queen’s “We Are The Champions” blared through the sound
system.
Musical acts Crime Mob, Ludacris and Mya performed live.
“Now this, is a parade,” said first-year Ace and three-time WNBA
champion Jewell Loyd. “I been to some other ones, but this one? This
one hits a little different.”
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