Despite Winning 2 WNBA Championships With Sue Bird, Alysha Clark Credits Aces Beyond Comparison

Published 10/22/2023, 7:47 AM EDT

The 2023 WNBA season came to a close with the Las Vegas Aces securing their second consecutive championship title. On Wednesday night, the Aces emerged victorious by narrowly edging out the New York Liberty, with a final score of 70-69 in Game 4 of the finals. With Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes out with foot injuries, Becky Hammon turned to the bench for help and the bench players stepped up when needed.

Meanwhile following the victory, Alysha Clark credits the Aces beyond comparison despite winning 2 WNBA championships with Sue Bird.

Alysha Clark expresses her gratitude towards the Aces

During the 2022 off-season, the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces brought in Amanda Zahui B, Candace Parker, and Alysha Clark in an attempt to make their roster more formidable. Alysha Clark, a 2x WNBA Champion, (now 3) signed a two-year contract with the Aces. With this trade, Clark returned to the team that initially drafted her in 2010 when the Aces went by another name – the San Antonio Stars.

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Joing the Aces, she became an important piece for A’ja Wilson and team off the bench and was consequently crowned with the 6th Player of the Year award. Notably, Clark’s addition to the Aces’ roster became a game changing decision as she turned out to be an important player for the 2023 WNBA Finals. The Aces succeeded in their mission to bag consecutive titles!

Most recently, the 3x WNBA Champion credited the Aces beyond comparison, even though she won two titles whilst playing alongside Sue Bird.

When asked about her new team, she admitted that she had her initial doubts. She revealed, “I mean as an opponent like you saw all the stuff they did, you know on social and whatever and you’re like looking at them like ‘wow they’re really having fun and they’re winning like what are they doing?'” However, those doubts vanished as she integrated into the Aces’ team.

Clark expressed gratitude towards the Aces stating, “This is the most fun I’ve had um on a team and I loved my my championship teams in Seattle. Like there’s no doubt about it. But this group is so different and it’s so much fun like I’ve thoroughly enjoyed coming to work every single day and like working alongside them”

Clark continued, “Just the work they put in…the intentionality behind everything that they do is I mean ‘top tier’ in my A’ja Wilson voice. And it made you know the way that we were able to close this season out it just it made it that much sweeter.”

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Notably, Alysha Clark won her second championship while playing against the Las Vegas Aces in 2020. With a resounding 92-59 victory in Game 3 over the top-seeded Las Vegas Aces during the 2020 WNBA Finals, the Seattle Storm forward secured her second league championship. She had her first taste of championship glory with the Storm back in 2018 while playing alongside Sue Bird.

Meanwhile, Clark dedicated her 2023 season to a very special person.

Alysha Clark dedicates her title to her late father

On Wednesday night, Alysha Clark, the veteran forward emerged as a pivotal figure in the Aces’ triumphant comeback. Her two-point basket in the third quarter proved to be a game-changer, tying the score at 51 points apiece. The Liberty had held the lead for the majority of the first half, but the Aces’ managed to turn the tide in their favor. Alysha Clark’s contributed 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists during Game 4.

Following the victory, the Aces were an emotional mess and rightfully so. Pulling off a peat in the absence of key players including Chelsea Gray, Candace Parker and Kiah Stokes is not an easy task. Hoewer, along with the tears of joy, Alysha Clark broke down in rememberance of her late father. Tragically, Clark lost her father, Duane, in September 2022. In a touching tribute, she had dedicated the entire 2023 season to his memory.

Clark, in an emotional post-game interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, paida tribute to her father. She said, “He’s been with me all season, he’s been my sixth man. I know he would be so happy right now. I’m just so happy, I know he’s with me. I wish he could be here. I wish I could hold him. But, this is for him, this entire season.”

Alysha Clark dedicates this championship to her father ❤️ @Alysha_Clark | @sportsiren pic.twitter.com/BohDWDZ5EG
— espnW (@espnW) October 19, 2023

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Duane Clark, even in his absence, remains an integral part of Alysha’s journey and accomplishments. As she continues to make her mark on the basketball world and in life, it’s safe to say that her father’s looking down, beaming with pride over all the things she’s accomplished throughout her life.

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Written by:

Ranjitha Ramesh is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Ranjitha has a strong foundation in reporting and writing. Her passion for basketball, particularly the Lakers and LeBron James, fuels her desire to delve into the lifestyle and off-court activities of NBA stars.

Edited by:

Aayush Kapoor

Despite Winning 2 WNBA Championships With Sue Bird, Alysha Clark Credits Aces Beyond Comparison

Alysha Clark expresses her gratitude towards the Aces

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Alysha Clark dedicates her title to her late father