LAS VEGAS -- In an era of women's basketball largely defined by new blood, the WNBA Finals will feature two familiar franchises in the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury that are no strangers to collecting hardware.

However, they were no lock to reach this year's finals, a best-of-seven series beginning on Friday. In fact, for both teams, it was anything but.

Seeking a third championship in four seasons, the Aces are led by a trio of stars headlined by four-time league MVP A'ja Wilson. Alongside Wilson is perhaps the W's best two-way guard, Jackie Young, as well as a three-time champion nicknamed the "Point Gawd" in Chelsea Gray.

A third title in four years would cement this Aces group as one of the great teams in the sport's history. But the last two seasons have been a series of trial

See Full Page