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.

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.

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.”

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.

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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.

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.