For the past two years, the ACES have kicked off the season at home with a Championship Celebration. But this Saturday, fans will witness the banner and ring ceremony, which promises to be quite the experience.
Becky Hamon, the coach for the ACES, shared that this celebration evokes “mixed emotions.” She spent the early part of her career at free agency, reaching the WNBA finals three times without clinching a title. Last season, however, the Liberty won their first championship, even topping the ACES in the semifinals.
“I have immense respect for this organization and for Joe and Clara,” Hamon remarked after practice. “They gave me my first shot. We’re just focused on winning, and I truly believed they were the best team last year. The top team gets the ring,” she added.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Chelsea Gray has aimed to disrupt a team’s Ring Night. Back in the 2018 season with Minnesota, she played a role in dampening the Lynx’s Championship Ring Night by handing them a loss in the season opener.
“For the away team, it’s really a motivating factor to try to spoil the ring night,” Gray explained. “It’s a key element in our game philosophy,” she commented after Friday’s practice.
Leonie Fevich participated in her first practice of the season on Friday, but her status for the opener is uncertain. She was listed as “questionable” in the team’s availability report, and coach Sandy Brondello noted it would depend on gameday decisions.
“We’ll see how she feels tomorrow,” said Brondello. “It’s great to have her back.” If Fevich can’t go, Kennedy Burke might step into the starting lineup.
Brenna Stewart, who is set to receive her third WNBA championship ring, mentioned that she has recently moved her collection from Seattle to New York. Though she still hasn’t found a permanent spot for her rings and trophies, she makes it clear to her young daughter that her rings must be treated with care.
“I certainly don’t want them to get damaged. That’s not a conversation I’m eager to have,” Stewart added.
