Dodgers do just enough to outlast Braves in opener
Dodgers secure a 3-1 victory over Braves in opener with Freeman's homer
WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Candace Parker predict A'ja Wilson will lead the Las Vegas Aces to the Finals in the 2026 season. Despite a preseason loss to the Dallas Wings, Cooper remains optimistic about the Aces' chances against the New York Liberty.
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The 2026 WNBA season is finally here, and two legends of the league have hot takes for how the milestone 30th campaign will end.
In an interview with USA Today’s Studio IX, Hall of Famers Cynthia Cooper and Candace Parker agreed four-time MVP A’ja Wilson will lead the Las Vegas Aces to a fifth WNBA Finals appearance in the last six years.
Cooper has a unique perspective, as she won Finals MVP for four straight years on the Houston Comets team that won the WNBA’s first four league championships.
Even though the Aces lost to the Dallas Wings 101-84 on Sunday in what was their sole preseason game against a fellow WNBA team, Cooper has faith in the Aces. And she anticipates the New York Liberty will be their Finals foe once again.
“I'm the queen of the back to back-to-back to back,” Cooper said. “Even though the Las Vegas Aces had a bad loss to Dallas, I don't think you can bet against them.”
The Liberty won the championship in 2024 but suffered a first-round exit to the Phoenix Mercury last season with Breanna Stewart sidelined because of a sprained MCL in her left knee. Cooper said she anticipates the team will be “super hungry” and bring their A-game every night.
Parker, a three-time WNBA champion and two-time MVP who ended her career with the Aces, thinks the Aces and Fever will meet in the postseason for the second year in a row.
“It's Aces vs. Indiana Fever in the Finals,” Parker said. “The Indiana Fever came within an overtime win last year in Game 5 against the Aces of being in the Finals. And this year they add a healthy Caitlin Clark, back playing with confidence.”
Cynthia Cooper and Candace Parker believe A'ja Wilson will lead the Las Vegas Aces to the WNBA Finals in 2026.
The Las Vegas Aces have made four Finals appearances in the last six years.
The Las Vegas Aces are expected to face the New York Liberty in the Finals.
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The pair, who will both be part of the WNBA on Prime’s broadcast team, didn’t stop there. In the nearly 30-minute interview, Cooper and Parker opined on the NBA playoffs, WNBA free agency, which WNBA team will surprise us all, and WNBA expansion.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cynthia Cooper, Candace Parker predict Aces will return to WNBA Finals