The Aces won their third ‘ship. That’s three in four seasons: enough boats for a goddamn armada.

I’ll never doubt them again.

The Las Vegas A’jas

There’s no “I” in team but there is an “A’ja”.¹ A’ja Wilson turned from “incredible player” to “sleep paralysis demon” during these playoffs. It culminated in a game three of the Finals where, in Phoenix, she dropped this shot to win the game:

There wasn’t even a play call for that shot, according to Aces coach Becky Hammon. It was just “get A’ja the ball”. And, well.

A’ja Wilson: sleep paralysis demon.

That’s the face Wilson pulled after she buried her game-winning shot. It’s an oni-mask level expression. She’ll haunt the dreams of everyone in Phoenix, whether they watch basketball or not.

The gang’s all here

It wasn’t just A’ja, though. 

Jackie Young showed up, proving how impossible she is to guard when she’s on as she broke the record for most points scored in a quarter in the Finals (with 21 points in the third quarter of game two).

Chelsea Gray – my emergency contact – dropped filthy assists and hit timely buckets.

The bench showed up when they were needed. Kierstan Bell did some dramatic pointing and thumbs up.

Still champs, still confusing

The Aces bludgeoned the Phoenix Mercury. They gave ‘em the lumber.

But it wasn’t exactly an all-conquering playoff run. They didn’t look like world beaters against the Seattle Storm in round one. They looked vulnerable against the Indiana Fever – missing their best player – in round two (including when even more of their players went out in the final game of the series).

And yet. 

Sure, Phoenix were a better matchup for Vegas. But the sheer waterfall of winning was surprising. Maybe it shouldn’t have been: what better way to end a befuddling season than with a confusing win?

This is an all-time season. It cemented this team as an all-time squad.

And A’ja? Well, she’s now up there with Lauren Jackson as my basketball GOAT. That’s a hell of a deal.