The 2024 WNBA season has been nothing but electrifying, as the Las Vegas Aces are trying to pull off an illustrious three-peat. With their bevy of talent headed by reigning MVP candidate A’ja Wilson, they are the favorites. However, in a shocking twist, WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes isn’t placing her bets on them repeating it all this year while joining the camp of their fiercest rivals, the New York Liberty.

Sheryl Swoopes, who knows a thing or two about championships, made waves when she appeared on the Queens of the Court podcast. And boy, the three-time WNBA MVP didn’t mince words. Never mind that the Aces have an impressive roster and a solid regular season. “I don’t think Chelsea Gray is fully healthy,” Swoopes noted, mentioning the Aces’ superstar point guard’s health who has had moments of brilliance but also struggled with consistency.

This inconsistency could be a team’s Achilles’ heel that many expect to cruise in the playoffs. Meanwhile, while mentioning Liberty, the four-time WNBA champion with the Houston Comets, said that they are almost a different team this year. “New York’s different this year,” she replied when asked what distinguished this side from the previous one, citing that the group still feels the sting of last season’s loss to the Aces in the Finals.

This added motivation, Swoopes said, could give them that X factor to overcome the defending champions. One of the big reasons Swoopes has come to this conclusion is Liberty’s preparedness to learn and adapt. While the Aces surprised them last year on the way to the title, in some ways two of their biggest stars, Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes felt like a bad taste leaving, and Swoopes thinks that’s fueling the Liberty’s current run.

“They have a sour taste in their mouth from what happened last year,” she said. “I’m sure the Liberty is like, dang, we let one get away, right?” So, while the Aces might have numbers and history in their favor, New York isn’t ready to let go of the battle. It seems they are more than ready to prove. After all, this season, they have been quite dominant and hold an edge over the Aces.

Betting on the Underdog

The Liberty are 21-4 and the best in the WNBA as the regular season winds down, with Breanna Stewart leading the charge, playing at an MVP level. Sabrina Ionescu’s three-point shooting, Jonquel Jones’ low-block outlook, and the rest combine to make the Liberty no longer a Cinderella story. This season, they’re so much more, as Swoopes describes them, maybe even the team to beat.

Of course, the Aces still have the better betting odds. Currently, the Aces are a bit ahead of the Liberty with odds of +145 as against +165 for the latter. But Swoopes isn’t swayed by the numbers. She knows that championships aren’t won on paper—they’re won on the court, and the Liberty are peaking at just the right time. While the Aces have star power, the Liberty hold momentum and depth—but most importantly, something to prove.

It’s not about who’s got the best players for Swoopes, but who’s got the best team. In her opinion, Liberty holds the key to all of those this year. Moreover, they are 2-0 against the Aces this season as New York became the first team to clinch a playoff berth in 2024. As the playoffs approach, fans and analysts alike will keep a close eye on whether Swoopes’ bold prediction comes true or not. Will the Liberty rise to the challenge and win their very first WNBA championship, or will the Aces prove that talent and experience can overcome any hurdle?

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.