The WNBA's version of an in-season tournament culminates Tuesday night in Las Vegas as the top team in the Western Conference, the Aces host the New York Liberty in the President's Cup Final. The winning organization receives $500,000 to split (approximately $30,000 a player) so there is a lot at stake. The losing team will win around $10,000 per player.
Las Vegas is the defending President's Cup champion.
The record-setting Las Vegas Aces are atop the West with a 27-3 record, already tying the best start in league history. Eastern Conference leading New York, 24-6, added a few pieces this season is finally starting to jell.
On Monday, Aces All-Star guard Chelsea Gray told the media you have to prepare mentally for the showdown. "You treat it like a one game series," Gray said. "A win or go home type of vibe. We have to come with that type of energy."
Las Vegas is expecting a capacity crowd in excess of 10,000 fans Tuesday night. The Aces are undefeated at home, 15-0.
Las Vegas defeated New York on its home court earlier this season, 98-81. But New York made a statement in the rematch by rolling past the Aces 99-61 in a meeting on August 6.
A'ja Wilson, the reigning league MVP feels the loss last week could have woken up the Aces, who are looking to repeat as WNBA champions. "I think that loss was good for us because we found who we are where we don't want to go again."
Wilson will battle longtime rival Breanna Stewart Tuesday night. They are at the top of this year's MVP race. Each had a 40-point game last week. And, Stewart became the first player to have three 40-point games in a week.
Stewart said she looks forward to the matchup vs Wilson. "You want to be playing in all the big games against the other best players in this league and continuing to be challenged," Stewart asserts.
The two teams will meet on Thursday night as well as part of the regular season schedule in Las Vegas. But there won't be as much on the line.