Only two teams are left standing.
The AMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida welcomed in 12 WNBA teams to start their season in the ”wubble” during the pandemic.
Now the WNBA Finals stage is set, as the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm will battle head-to-head for the championship.
The Seattle Storm clinched the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference with an 18-4 record. They are looking to win their second championship in three seasons, the team led by 18-year veteran Sue Bird and 26-year-old forward Breanna Stewart.
On the other side, the Aces clinched the No. 1 seed in the league and are looking to win their first championship since relocating to Las Vegas from San Antonio in 2018. And while their roster has been depleted from the absence of players like Liz Cambage and Kelsey Plum, the team has been led by reigning MVP A’ja Wilson and most recent signee Angel McCoughtry.
Both teams led the league in offensive and defensive ratings, and although the Aces won both of the regular-season matchups against the Storm, this is bound to be a fiery series of the best of the best.
Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm Finals Preview
Battle of the MVP's
via: news3lv.com
In this year’s finals, spectators will witness a battle between two young players firmly letting their dominance be felt in the league: A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart.
Wilson won this year’s MVP award a couple of weeks ago, averaging 20.8 points and 8.5 rebounds. She leads the league in 2-pt field goals and attempts, free throws (118), and blocks (2.0). Her tenacity and passion to win have been strongly felt in the playoffs. Wilson plays nearly 40 minutes a game, grind it out in the post, as well as set up her teammates for easy shots, which has helped the Aces get through the Connecticut Sun in the conference finals.
On the other hand, Breanna Stewart has bounced back this season after tearing her Achilles months before the start of this season. Stewart won MVP back in 2018 and is playing like her herself again, dominating in the post. Expect both of these players to be all in the paint and have a significant impact on their team’s chances to win.
Angel McCoughtry: The X-Factor for the Aces
via: Swish Appeal
The Las Vegas Aces signed small forward Angel McCoughtry back in February during free agency. Because of a depleted roster due to injuries and COVID-19 related issues, McCoughtry fitted right in her new environment after being apart of the Atlanta Dream for 10 straight seasons.
The Aces needed someone right away to be another scorer besides Wilson as well as be a facilitator, and McCoughtry has done a great job doing that this season. In those times where Wilson has rough nights, or the team lacks perimeter play, McCoughtry knows how to fill that void.
Leading the league in player efficiency rating, she is a dynamic score that knows how to facilitate offenses and open up space on the floor for her and other players. McCoughtry is averaging 14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, shooting 47 percent from three-point range.
Will the Storm's Experience Overpower The Aces?
via: CW Seattle
Besides Stewart and Bird, Seattle is a well-rounded team whose other players have accolades and experiences across the board.
Guard Jewell Loyd is a 2-time All-Star, forward Alysha Clark was voted into this year’s First Team All-Defense, and Natasha Howard was apart of 2019’s All-WNBA Team, as well as won Defensive Player of the Year.
Seattle throughout the years have proven to be an efficient team on both ends on the team and has been on this Finals stage before plenty of times more than Las Vegas has.
Prediction- Las Vegas Aces WNBA Champions
Las Vegas have been legit contenders ever since the team was created a few years ago due to their dominance in their frontcourt and in the paint, all thanks to head coach and former 2-time NBA champion Bill Laimbeer. However, due to their roster being a lil empty-handed as well as their bench, many didn’t see the Aces making it this far. But this year for the Aces feels personal in that they are determined to win.
Each year A’ja Wilson continues to get better, this time going hard non-stop on the defensive end. And the addition of Angel McCoughtry has worked well in the Aces’ favor. This series will be a tough one for both teams, but Las Vegas’s grit and determination will shine bright.
2020 WNBA Finals Schedule
The WNBA Finals will be a best-of-five series hosted at AMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The schedule will proceed as followed below, all games on ESPN 2 and on the ESPN App (all ET):
Game 1: Seattle at Las Vegas- Fri, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN App)
Game 2: Seattle at Las Vegas- Sun, Oct. 4, 3 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN App)
Game 3: Las Vegas at Seattle- Tues, Oct. 6, 7 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN App)
Game 4*: Las Vegas at Seattle- Thurs, Oct. 8, 7 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN App)
Game 5*: Las Vegas at Seattle- Sun, Oct. 11, 3 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN App)
(*: if neccesary)
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