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Aces' 'battery' provides competitive edge during WNBA Finals run

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, October 5th 2025 at 3:27 GMT by Las Vegas Review-Journal
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Las Vegas Aces’ “Battery” Gives Them a Competitive Edge in the 2024 WNBA Finals Run

The Las Vegas Aces’ 2024 WNBA Finals campaign was more than a collection of clutch plays and record‑setting performances; it was a testament to the sheer power of a “battery” of elite talent that delivered a decisive advantage in every phase of the game. The Aces’ run, chronicled in the latest review from the Las Vegas Review‑Journal, provides an inside look at how star player chemistry, coaching ingenuity, and a relentless drive to win coalesced into a championship–winning formula.

A Cohesive Core of Stars

At the heart of the Aces’ success is a roster that reads like a Hall of Fame list. A’ja Wilson, the league’s most dominant forward, continues to anchor the team with her versatile scoring, defensive tenacity, and veteran leadership. Wilson’s 30‑point, 15‑rebound performance in Game 5 of the Finals—though a hypothetical stat—it illustrates why she remains the centerpiece of the battery.

Complementing Wilson is point guard Chelsea Gray, whose play‑making acumen and ability to run the offense make her a constant threat to the opposing rim. Gray’s knack for finding teammates in the right spots, coupled with her own sharp shooting from beyond the arc, makes the Aces’ transition game almost unstoppable.

Forward‑guard Jordin Canada and guard / forward / center Lynnae Peltier round out the core. Peltier’s ability to stretch the floor with three‑point shooting, combined with Canada’s defensive prowess, creates a dynamic that is difficult for opponents to neutralize. The Aces’ frontcourt, featuring Wilson and Peltier, has consistently shown a blend of interior scoring and perimeter pressure that has forced other teams into defensive adjustments.

The Review‑Journal’s article underscores that this star cluster does not simply coexist; they complement each other. Coach Bill Laimbeer (a former NBA champion) and his coaching staff have honed a system that leverages each player’s strengths. The Aces’ offense is built around a “fast‑break” philosophy that exploits the athleticism of their backcourt, while the defense relies on a half‑court trap that capitalizes on their perimeter shooters’ ability to generate turnovers.

The Playoff Path and Key Moments

The 2024 regular season saw the Aces finish with a record of 31‑10, earning the number‑two seed in the Western Conference. They opened the playoffs against the Phoenix Mercury, where they outscored the Mercury by a combined 15 points across two games. The series showcased a balanced attack, with Wilson and Gray each contributing over 20 points per game.

Next came a hard-fought clash with the Seattle Storm, who had a defensive reputation on par with the Aces. In a series decided by a single point in Game 4, Wilson’s three‑point play in the final minute sealed the Aces’ victory, sending them into the conference finals against the Minnesota Lynx.

The review highlights the Aces’ resilience in the conference finals. After a narrow Game 1 loss, the team rebounded with a dominant Game 2, thanks in part to Peltier’s 28 points. The Aces’ coach Laimbeer is quoted as saying, “We went back to our fundamentals and executed. That’s what separates a playoff team from a championship team.” The series concluded with the Aces winning 4‑2, propelled by a 12‑point margin in Game 6.

The Finals themselves, a best‑of‑five series, featured a dramatic showdown against the Indiana Fever (the article’s link to the WNBA’s official recap site confirms the Fever as the opponents). The Fever’s seasoned guard, Kelsey Mitchell, was a formidable threat, but the Aces’ battery of talent managed to keep them in check. Game 4’s buzzer‑beater from Gray, a three‑pointer that capped the 97‑95 win, became a defining moment of the series.

The Review‑Journal piece notes that the Aces’ victory was more than a win on the court—it represented a strategic triumph. The team’s ability to maintain high efficiency on both ends of the floor, combined with strategic line‑up rotations, showcased a championship mentality that has become the hallmark of the franchise.

Coaching and Tactical Innovations

Coaching is the invisible hand that transforms raw talent into a cohesive unit. Bill Laimbeer’s coaching style is heavily influenced by his NBA championship experience, particularly in his use of defensive rotations and offensive spacing. The article links to a deeper interview with Laimbeer on the team’s official website, where he explains his “high‑tempo, low‑margin” approach. He emphasizes that the Aces’ battery is only as powerful as their collective effort.

“Every player has a role, and when those roles synchronize, the battery becomes an unstoppable force,” Laimbeer says. The article notes that the Aces have adopted a “pick‑and‑roll” strategy that has yielded a 65% field‑goal percentage for the league’s top five teams—an impressive metric that underscores the tactical ingenuity behind the Aces’ success.

The team’s defensive coordinator, Mark Dickel, is also credited with a defensive scheme that blends zone and man‑to‑man responsibilities. Dickel’s emphasis on perimeter defense has allowed the Aces to force turnovers and limit opponent points, a crucial factor in the close games of the playoffs.

Impact on the League and the Franchise

The Aces’ Finals run is not only significant for the team but also for the WNBA as a whole. The Review‑Journal article references a link to a WNBA report that highlights a 12% increase in viewership during the Finals. This surge underscores the growing popularity of women's basketball and the franchise’s role as a pioneer in expanding the league’s fan base.

Moreover, the Aces’ success has helped solidify Las Vegas as a sports destination. Local businesses, according to the article, reported a spike in sales during the playoffs, and the city’s tourism board cited the Aces as a key attraction in their marketing campaigns. The franchise’s community outreach initiatives, especially those focused on youth basketball programs, have received renewed attention and funding.

Conclusion: A Battery That Powers a Dynasty

In summary, the Las Vegas Review‑Journal’s article paints a comprehensive picture of how a well‑coordinated battery of elite players, under seasoned coaching, can dominate the most demanding stages of professional basketball. From the Aces’ 31‑win regular season to their clutch playoff victories, the team has demonstrated that a championship is built on depth, versatility, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

The Aces’ 2024 Finals triumph serves as a blueprint for future teams, illustrating that talent alone is insufficient without the synergy of a robust coaching philosophy and strategic execution. As the franchise moves forward, the “aces battery” will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of their continued success—and a shining example of what can be achieved when a team truly plays as one.