The WNBA Finals are set to kick off on Friday with Las Vegas Aces’ coach Becky Hammon and Phoenix Mercury’s coach Nate Tibbets leading their respective teams. What ties them together is their shared upbringing in South Dakota, a state known for its basketball talent. Hammon highlighted the notable sports figures hailing from the state, emphasizing the strong sports culture ingrained in South Dakota.
Having grown up in the same era, Hammon and Tibbets only connected later in their careers as NBA assistant coaches. During the unique circumstances of the COVID-impacted season played in a bubble, the two South Dakotans bonded over pickleball games while residing in the same hotel.
Looking ahead to the Finals, the Aces have the opportunity to secure their third championship in four years, a feat achieved previously only 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 on the Aces’ roster, drawing comparisons to the Comets’ legendary trio in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, now part of the Aces, faced off against Las Vegas in the Finals as members of the Connecticut Sun in 2022. The upcoming series presents a chance for redemption for Thomas, who acknowledges Wilson’s exceptional skills and sees her as a driving force for personal improvement.
This season marks the WNBA’s first best-of-seven championship round, a shift welcomed by players who appreciate the proximity of the competing teams, reducing travel fatigue. However, off-court tensions have captured attention, with players like Napheesa Collier criticizing the league’s leadership as the players navigate crucial collective bargaining negotiations.
As the WNBA Finals unfold, the focus remains on the on-court action, with both teams aiming to make their mark in league history while navigating the intense competition and off-court dynamics.
