Jackie Young stood behind the counter at a bustling Raising Cane’s in Las Vegas, her ever-present championship smile lighting up the room. Just days earlier, she’d helped the Las Vegas Aces clinch their third WNBA title in four years—a feat that cemented the franchise’s place in league history. As fans lined up for autographs, jerseys, and a chance to meet the “Silent Assassin,” Young’s understated presence spoke volumes about her role at the heart of the Aces’ dynasty.
This latest championship, secured with a 97–86 win over the Phoenix Mercury on October 24, 2025, didn’t come easy. The Aces, who had rolled through previous seasons, found themselves stumbling early this year, hovering around a .500 record and suffering an eye-popping 53-point loss. Doubts swirled—was their reign coming to an end?
But Las Vegas answered the critics with a resounding response: a 17-game winning streak to close out the season, culminating in another championship celebration. The journey wasn’t about sheer dominance this time—it was about resilience, teamwork, and the kind of earned success that forges legends. And at the center of it all was Jackie Young, the steady hand who rarely seeks the spotlight but always delivers when it matters most.
Young’s postseason numbers tell part of the story. She averaged over 20 points per game and exploded for 32 points in Game 2 of the Finals, including a record-setting 21 points in the third quarter alone. Her performance didn’t just help the Aces win; it reasserted what many have been saying for years: this is a dynasty, and Young is its heartbeat.
“The season started out pretty rough… but we strung together 17 wins in a row,” Young told reporters with a modest grin. “Every time we come into training camp, we know that we’re prepping to win a championship.” Later, she added, “Pressure is a privilege. I’m just trying to set a good example and be the standard.”
That word—standard—has become synonymous with the Aces’ approach. While A’ja Wilson, the undisputed best player in the world, commands the headlines and the billboards, Young is the glue that holds everything together. She’s the guard who fills every gap, the scorer who picks her spots, and the defender who never lets the moment get too big. Teammates call her dependable; opponents call her unshakeable. Her nickname, “Silent Assassin,” isn’t about coldness—it’s about making the biggest impact without saying a word.
Young’s evolution from a complementary guard to one of the league’s most complete players hasn’t come from a single leap but from countless incremental gains. Coaches trust her to steady the offense when things get messy, and teammates turn to her in those in-between moments that don’t make the highlight reels but win championships. She might not be the face of the franchise, but she’s undoubtedly its backbone.
The Aces’ success is a testament to more than just star power. It’s about depth, versatility, and a culture of excellence that starts with players like Young. Her influence stretches beyond the court, too. As the WNBA grows—drawing bigger crowds, more media attention, and increased visibility—Young stands as a clear example of what sustained greatness looks like when it isn’t built on flash. She’s a superstar who feels just as comfortable dominating a playoff game as she does serving chicken fingers to fans a few days later.
“I know whenever I was a little girl, I looked up to Candace Parker,” Young reflected. “If I can just be this person, that example, that the little girls look up to, then it means I’m doing something right.”
While Young’s quiet leadership has been vital, the Aces’ dynasty has also been defined by the transcendent play of A’ja Wilson. Wilson’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of historic—she became the first player to win the WNBA scoring title, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, a championship, and Finals MVP all in the same season. She led the league in blocked shots, finished second in rebounds, and topped the charts in efficiency. Her dominance has set a new standard for excellence in the league.
Wilson’s emotional induction into the South Carolina Hall of Fame in October added another layer to her remarkable year. During her speech, she publicly acknowledged NBA star Bam Adebayo as her boyfriend for the first time, a moment that drew cheers and laughter from the crowd. “Even though you went to Kentucky, and you went to that royal blue school, thank you for the constant support, always,” Wilson said, looking directly at Adebayo. “You weren’t there for young A’ja, but your support has always been with me up to this point. So, thank you.”
Their relationship, long rumored after sightings in Paris before the 2024 Summer Olympics and confirmed during Wilson’s jersey retirement ceremony at South Carolina in February 2025, has become a talking point among fans and media alike. Wilson described Adebayo as her “safe space” and a crucial support system, telling People magazine, “He’s truly a gift. He’s obviously in the same field, so we bounce off different things with one another to where it’s like, no, we’re not alone. He’s helped me through a lot and welcomed me to be who I’m going to be.”
Off the court, the 2025 WNBA season has been shaped by more than just basketball. The ongoing negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) have dominated headlines, with players and fans voicing their frustration—most notably during the Aces’ Finals trophy ceremony, when boos rained down on Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The fight for equitable pay and improved working conditions has drawn support from unexpected quarters: in late October, over 70 elected lawmakers from seven WNBA markets, including New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, publicly endorsed the players’ demands.
Cabán, a lifelong New York Liberty fan, spearheaded a letter to Engelbert and the league, urging them to “bargain in good faith to reach a fair [CBA].” She told The Athletic, “We all want to be able to take in a full season, but we know that they deserve to get paid what they deserve to earn. It mirrors the fights that everyday working-class women are having every day when they’re saying to their bosses, ‘We need childcare, we need good health benefits, we need an environment that allows us to be present with our loved ones and values labor that allows you all to make as much money as you do.’”
Players made their voices heard as well, donning “Pay Us What You Owe Us” T-shirts during the July All-Star Game in Indianapolis and calling out league leadership in public interviews. With the October 31 deadline for a new CBA looming, the pressure is on for both sides to find common ground and ensure the league’s continued growth and stability.
As the dust settles on another unforgettable season, the Las Vegas Aces stand as the measuring stick for WNBA excellence. A’ja Wilson defines the era with her historic play and growing off-court profile. Jackie Young, the steady pulse of the team, ensures the dynasty endures. And with players uniting for change, the league’s future looks brighter—and bolder—than ever.
