The WNBA Finals will feature Becky Hammon coaching the Las Vegas Aces and Nate Tibbets leading the Phoenix Mercury, both with roots in South Dakota. Hammon highlighted the talent from their small state, mentioning other notable athletes like Mike Miller and Eric Piatkowski. Despite being the same age, the two coaches only got to know each other in the NBA as assistant coaches. During the COVID year played in a bubble, they bonded over pickleball games in Florida.
The Aces have a chance to secure their third title in four years, a feat only achieved by the Houston Comets in the league’s early years. A’ja Wilson, the league’s first four-time MVP, and Chelsea Gray are standout players to watch. In a Finals rematch, Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, former Connecticut Sun players, will face the Aces again. The WNBA Finals will feature a best-of-seven format for the first time, with players pleased about the proximity of the teams reducing travel.
Off the court, the league has faced drama as players like Napheesa Collier criticized the WNBA leadership, calling for greater accountability from Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. This tension coincides with negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and players.
