Akin to LeBron James, 2023 WNBA Champion Candace Parker Joins the Elite Club of Champions

On Wednesday, the Las Vegas Aces made WNBA history, securing their second consecutive championship title over the New York Liberty. The final score read 70-69 in favor of the Aces, as they emerged victorious in Game 4 of the Finals. This win marks the Aces as the first team in over two decades to achieve back-to-back championships. However, the night’s accomplishments don’t end there.

With this victory, 2023 WNBA Champion Candace Parker joins an elite club of champions, akin to LeBron James.

Candace Parker etches her name in WNBA history

Candace Parker secured her third WNBA title as the Aces triumphed over the New York Liberty with a score of 70-69 in the championship game. The confetti rained down at the Barclays Center in New York, but here’s the kicker ? Parker was watching from the sidelines in street clothes, not a minute of action on the court. She’s been sidelined due to a foot injury, but her team made sure she still got that championship ring!

Candace Parker, at the age of 37, etched her name in the annals of WNBA history. She became the first player to win three WNBA championships with three different teams. Her first championship came in 2016 with the Los Angeles Sparks, the team that drafted her as the No. 1 overall pick back in 2008. The second one was a homecoming for her, after joining the Chicago Sky in 2021. And the third on Wednesday night with A’ja Wilson and the team.

With her third WNBA championship title, she joins an elite club of champions including Robert Horry, John Salley, Danny Green, and the LA Lakers legend, LeBron James, who clinched titles with the Miami Heat (2012 and 2013), the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and the Los Angeles Lakers (2020).

As for Candace Parker, 3 WNBA rings are the only accomplishments in Parker’s trophy case. Her career boasts two WNBA MVP awards, a WNBA Finals MVP title, and she’s been named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. Not to mention, she’s a 10-time All-WNBA selection. She’s got more ‘firsts’ to her name too ? she’s the only player in league history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. Plus, she’s the first player to hit over 6,000 points, 3,000 rebounds, and 1,500 assists in her career. Talk about an impressive record!

Read More: WATCH: Candace Parker?s Adrenaline Rush Once Bloodied Her Own Teammate Mid-Game

Meanwhile, let’s take a look at the game that made history.

The Las Vegas Aces dominate!

The Aces’ star player, A’ja Wilson, emerged as the undeniable hero of the night. She dropped 24 points and snagged 16 rebounds, all while leading her team in a stunning second-half comeback. With this victory, the Aces’ have made history as the first team to achieve back-to-back WNBA championships since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-02.

The tension was palpable from the tip-off, with the Liberty taking a commanding lead of as much as 12 points early in the game. However, the Aces launched a rally and seized the lead by the end of the third quarter. The climax of this intense showdown featured A’ja Wilson sinking a pivotal mid-range shot, which propelled the Aces to a 70-64 lead. The Liberty attempted a late-game resurgence, with Vandersloot and Sabrina Ionescu making clutch shots to narrow the gap to a single point. Nevertheless, the Liberty’s final effort culminated in an airball, handing the Aces their second consecutive championship.

Remarkably, the Aces achieved this victory without two of their starters, Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes, who had succumbed to foot injuries in Game 3. Stepping up to the challenge, Alysha Clark, the reigning WNBA Sixth Player of the Year, seamlessly contributed 10 points and eight rebounds. Jackie Young chipped in with 16 points and seven assists, while Cayla George made three pivotal three-pointers, ultimately tallying 11 points.

Unsurprisingly, A’ja Wilson bagged the title of WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player by the end of the night.

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