Vegas baby!

There isn’t a place in the world where your money will disappear faster than Sin City — or maybe the casinos just got the best of me.

Needless to say, my first trip to Las Vegas was one for the books.

With a jam-packed schedule, I landed myself a ticket to my first-ever WNBA game — the Las Vegas Aces vs. the New York Liberty.

Even prior to planning my trip to Vegas for the Pac-12 basketball media day, I saw the matchup between the Aces and Liberty set for the WNBA Finals. When the schedule was released and I saw that game two would be played during my stay in Vegas, I immediately secured tickets.

Although I didn’t know what to expect heading into the game, I anticipated that the WNBA Finals — like any championship matchup — would be hype.

Playing basketball throughout my childhood, I’ve always been told by coaches that if I wanted to learn how to play the game of basketball the “right way,” I should tune into the WNBA. Since then, I have always recognized WNBA players for their soundness in basketball fundamentals.

However, I always looked at that statement as a back-handed compliment. Don’t all professional basketball players play the game fundamentally? Why would fundamentals be strictly associated with just the WNBA? Is it the lack of “flashy” plays we see?

I think that’s what 99% of people think when they think about the WNBA — fundamental basketball with no flair brought to excite the crowd.

I just have one thing to say for the people who advocate for that: you’re wrong!

The clinic that these women put on had me out of my seat the entire time. Turnaround fadeaways. Cross left, cross right, drive then snatch it back for a mid-range jumper. Full-court dimes. Pull-up threes in transition. They were putting it all on display.

Heading into game two, I knew both teams were stacked, but never realized how much star power was actually going to be in the building. Headlined by two-time league MVPs Breanna Stewart of the Liberty and A’ja Wilson of the Aces, and supporting stars, Kelsey Plum, Jonquel Jones, Chelsea Gray, Sabrina Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot.

Although I was admittedly a little lost heading to Michelob Ultra Arena, I was right on time for tip-off, and the energy in the arena was like no other.

The arena — filled to the brim with fans of all ages — never dropped an ounce of energy through four quarters. Towels were waving and chants were roaring the entire game.

I have never seen an arena as loud as game two of the 2023 WNBA Finals, and I loved every second of it. As a sports fan it was music to my ears, especially the elderly woman who was cheering the loudest in our section.

It might have helped that the Aces commanded the Liberty the whole game, heading to a 104-76 victory.

As for the players, Wilson was unstoppable, scoring a game-high 26 points and 15 rebounds. Her game was so smooth — scoring on all levels — it was a beauty to watch.

However, the highlight of my night was watching my new favorite WNBA player, the Aces’ Plum.

Plum carries herself with so much swagger, an aura that translates off the court as well. I was unaware that Plum was referred to as “Plum Dawg” so seeing an arena full of fans actively bark at a player was a unique experience.

The energy carried out of the arena with “Aces” chants as we headed out of the venue.

Though my heart lives in LA, the Aces are now a team I’ll be rooting for … until they play the Sparks.

Overall, it was a 10/10 experience, and to anyone who has never gone to a WNBA game, I highly recommend going.