
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 1, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon talks during a timeout in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Jan 1, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon talks during a timeout in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
The Las Vegas Aces emerged as the champions of the 2022-2023 season after a thrilling Finals Five series. The injury of Chelsea Gray was the most significant concern, as everyone thought that the Aces would suffer a championship defeat. But the head coach of the Aces had a ‘discreet move’ in her plan. Becky Hammon employed a perfect defensive strategy to rebound the winning momentum back to her side.
But Game 3 of the Finals dealt a severe blow to the Aces, as the Liberty employed a defensive mechanism to prevent the Aces from scoring. And with Kia Stokes and Chelsea Gray on the bench, everyone thought the Aces’ chances of repeating their championship were slim. Still, the team defied all expectations as the coach devised a perfect plan to use her players at the right time, and they tasted their second consecutive victory.
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Becky Hammon’s surprise strategy to revive her team
The victorious momentum shifted abruptly in Game 3 of the Finals when the Liberty humiliated the Aces. The injuries to Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes increased the fear of losing. Having two key players on the bench and the absence of powerful Candace Parker, the difficulty of the aces undoubtedly doubled.
Becky Hammon said the biggest scheme changes will come on the defensive end. Said they?re going to try some things they?ve never done before. Added, they many not know what they?re doing, but the Liberty won?t know either. #WNBAFinals
? Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) October 18, 2023
Nevertheless, coach Becky Hammon never gave up hope, announcing that she would be back with her squad in a “discreet move.” A prominent sports journalist, Kareem Copeland, wrote on Twitter, “Becky Hammon said the biggest scheme changes will come on the defensive end. They said they?re going to try some things they?ve never done before. They may not know what they?re doing, but Liberty won?t know either.”

USA Today via Reuters
WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA Finals-Las Vegas Aces at Connecticut Sun, Sep 18, 2022 Uncasville, Connecticut, USA Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon yells out instructions in the first half during game four of the 2022 WNBA Finals against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports, 18.09.2022 16:14:05, 19074007, NPStrans, Connecticut Sun, WNBA, Becky Hammon, TopPic, Mohegan Sun Arena PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xWendellxCruzx 19074007
Becky Hammon replaced Chelsea Gray with Alysha Clark, and she called a timeout with only.44 seconds remaining in the shot clock, which was a gutsy decision that helped disrupt the Liberty’s momentum and extended the Aces’ winning road.
Read More: Is Las Vegas Aces Coach Becky Hammon?
The most surprising element was Courtney Vandersloot’s buzzer shot, which concealed the team’s victory.
The historic victory of the Las Vegas Aces
The WNBA is having a repeat championship for the first time in 21 years. The previous time the feat was accomplished was by the Los Angeles Sparks.
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USA Today via Reuters
Oct 18, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) and owner Mark Davis celebrate after winning the 2023 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
The Aces, after suffering a serious blow with their key players out, chose to go on an untested plan. Thanks to Becky Hammon, who understood her players well and positioned them in the appropriate positions.
Cayala George replaced Kiah Stokes and averaged 11 points per game. A’ja Wilson and Clark both performed admirably, contributing to the majority of the rejections and scores. Courtney Vandersloot capitalized on the last buzzer to secure the Aces’ triumph.
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We could tell that the Aces came well-prepared to defend their crown, and they were successful.
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