The Las Vegas Aces history reflects the growth of one of the WNBA’s most exciting franchises. Originally founded as the Utah Starzz, the team relocated twice before settling in Las Vegas. Today, Las Vegas Aces players are known for their skill, teamwork, and championship success, making the franchise a fan favorite.
Established
1997
City
Salt Lake City – San Antonio – Las Vegas
League History
1997 – Present / Women’s National Basketball Association
Team History
2018 – Present / Las Vegas Aces
2014 – 2017 / San Antonio Stars
2002 – 2013 / San Antonio Silver Stars
1997 – 2002 / Utah Starzz
Nickname
Aces – The Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) are a professional basketball team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces have been around since 2018 and have quickly become one of the most popular teams in the WNBA. But where did their name come from?
Las Vegas Aces Origin
The nickname “Aces” originates from two sources: firstly, it is an homage to aviators who flew into what was then known as McCarran International Airport (now known as Reno-Tahoe International Airport). Secondly, it also pays tribute to iconic entertainers who performed at legendary venues on and off The Strip, such as Dean Martin at the Sands Hotel & Casino or Frank Sinatra at Caesar's Palace.
In addition to its historical roots, ‘Aces’ represents luck and chance—two elements synonymous with Las Vegas itself! It captures perfectly how even though you can never predict exactly what will happen during a game or season, you can always count on some exciting moments when watching an Aces game!
Ultimately, whether they win or lose games throughout this upcoming season, there's no denying that having 'Las Vegas' emblazoned across their chests gives them instant recognition amongst sports fans everywhere - making them one of the most recognizable franchises in all professional sports today!
Championship
WNBA Championships 2
2023, 2022
Arena
2018 – Present / Mandalay Bay Events Center
*San Antonio*
2003 – 2017 / AT&T Center
*Salt Lake City*
1997 – 2002 / Delta Center
Owner
2018 – Present / MGM Resorts International
2003 – 2017 / Peter Holt
1997 – 2002 / Larry H. Miller
- 2018
- 2020
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2022
- 2023
-
Aces Team Creation
The Las Vegas Aces are a professional basketball team based in Paradise, Nevada, playing in the Western Conference in the Women’s National Basketball Association(WNBA). The Aces play their games at Mandalay Bay Events Center. The team was founded in Salt Lake City, Utah, as the Utah Starzz before the league’s inaugural 1997 season. It then moved to San Antonio, Texas before the 2003 season and became the San Antonio Silver Stars, later shortened to the San Antonio Stars in ... -
2020 Season For Aces
In 2020: The Aces have their best season ever, finishing with an 18-4 record, the best in the league. They play in a bubble at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are without Cambage and Kelsey Plum, who opt out and suffer an injury respectively. They draft Lauren Manis, a forward from Holy Cross, with ... -
A’ja Wilson – 2020 WNBA MVP
In 2020: The Las Vegas Aces advance to the WNBA Finals for the second time in franchise history, but are swept by the Seattle Storm. A’ja Wilson is named the WNBA Most Valuable Player and an All-Star. -
The Aces make the playoffs as the first seed in the Western Conference
In 2021: The Aces finish with a 24-8 record and make the playoffs as the first seed in the Western Conference. They acquire Chelsea Gray, a guard from Duke, in free agency. They also draft Iliana Rupert, a center from France, with the 12th overall pick in the WNBA Draft. They also draft Destiny Slocum, a guard from Arkansas, with ... -
Las Vegas Aces win their first WNBA Commissioner’s Cup
In 2022: The Las Vegas Aces also win their first WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, beating Seattle Storm in one game for $500,000 prize money. -
Las Vegas Aces Finally Win the Champions in 2022
The 2022 WNBA Finals, officially the WNBA Finals 2022, presented by YouTube TV for sponsorship reasons, was the best-of-five championship series for the 2022 season of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The finals featured the first-seeded Las Vegas Aces facing off against the third-seeded Connecticut Sun. The Aces defeated the Sun in 4 games, winning their first WNBA Championship. ... -
Repeat for the Aces in the WNBA Finals
The Aces had a successful season, reaching the finals for the third time in their franchise history. The team was led by head coach Becky Hammon, who guided them to the league title in the previous year . The Aces’ franchise has been based in Las Vegas since 2018, and they have quickly become a strong contender in the league ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Las Vegas Aces History
The Las Vegas Aces history goes back to 1997 when the team first played as the Utah Starzz, one of the original WNBA franchises. In 2003 the Starzz relocated to San Antonio, becoming the San Antonio Silver Stars, later shortened to the San Antonio Stars. In late 2017, the franchise was purchased by MGM Resorts and rebranded ahead of the 2018 season as the Las Vegas Aces, starting a new chapter in its legacy.
From that move forward, Las Vegas Aces history has been defined by growth, investment, and rising success. After years of struggling to build a consistent championship-contender roster, the arrival of head coach Becky Hammon in 2021 marked a turning point. The Las Vegas Aces players under her leadership, including stars like A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and others, pushed the team toward elite status.
Before becoming the Aces, during the Silver Stars/Stars era, the franchise made several playoff appearances and even reached the WNBA Finals in 2008 (when still in San Antonio), though they did not win the title. The Las Vegas Aces history therefore incorporates those earlier eras and their lessons, including roster building, changing ownership, and refining identity.
In their first seasons in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Aces players faced growing pains, but signs of progress appeared in 2019 and 2020 with deeper playoff runs. By 2022, Las Vegas captured its first WNBA Championship, defeating the Connecticut Sun. Then in 2023 the Aces repeated as champions with a dominant regular season and a Finals win over the New York Liberty — marking the first back-to-back WNBA titles in over twenty years.
Aces Achievements
The most notable achievement in Las Vegas Aces history is the back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023, both under head coach Becky Hammon. These consecutive titles solidified the Aces as a powerhouse in the league, showcasing what well-structured leadership, deep bench strength, and star contributions from Las Vegas Aces players like A’ja Wilson (Finals MVP in 2023), Chelsea Gray, and Kelsey Plum can accomplish.
Beyond championships, Las Vegas Aces history includes setting league records. In 2023 the Aces posted a 34-6 regular season record — one of the best ever. The team also has made the playoffs nearly every season since moving to Las Vegas, never losing in the first round during its Las Vegas era, and built a training facility unmatched in the WNBA. The rise of Las Vegas Aces players into superstars has boosted the franchise’s profile and made it a model for organizational excellence.
Sports Fan Products
Aja Wilson Player History: From Rookie to MVP in the WNBA!
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Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history