WATCH: WNBA legends say A'ja Wilson will lead Las Vegas Aces to another Finals
The 2026 WNBA season is finally here, and two legends of the league think the Aces will make a fifth WNBA Finals appearance in the last six years.
The 2026 WNBA season is finally here, and two legends of the league have hot takes for how the milestone 30th campaign will end. In an interview with USA Today’s Studio IX, Hall of Famers Cynthia Cooper and Candace Parker agreed four-time MVP A’ja Wilson will lead the Las Vegas Aces to a fifth WNBA Finals appearance in the last six years. Cooper has a unique perspective, as she won Finals MVP for four straight years on the Houston Comets team that won the WNBA’s first four league championships.
Even though the Aces lost to the Dallas Wings 101-84 on Sunday in what was their sole preseason game against a fellow WNBA team, Cooper has faith in the Aces. And she anticipates the New York Liberty will be their Finals foe once again. “I'm the queen of the back to back-to-back to back,” Cooper said.
“Even though the Las Vegas Aces had a bad loss to Dallas, I don't think you can bet against them. ” The Liberty won the championship in 2024 but suffered a first-round exit to the Phoenix Mercury last season with Breanna Stewart sidelined because of a sprained MCL in her left knee. Cooper said she anticipates the team will be “super hungry” and bring their A-game every night.
Parker, a three-time WNBA champion and two-time MVP who ended her career with the Aces, thinks the Aces and Fever will meet in the postseason for the second year in a row. “It's Aces vs. Indiana Fever in the Finals,” Parker said.