Top 5 Las Vegas Sports Moments 2021

dkraft

/ 4 years ago

Get excited, Las Vegas! You have a lot to be proud of this year.

#5 Kyle Busch winning at Kansas Motor Speedway and extending his 16-year streak

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=311534373663972&set=a.213482650135812

It's never easy getting into victory lane in the NASCAR Cup Series, which is what made it all the more fulfilling when Kyle Busch finally returned there earlier this year at Kansas Motor Speedway. Not only did it virtually guarantee the Las Vegas native a spot in the upcoming playoffs this fall, but it also extended his streak of consecutive seasons with a win to a grand total of 16. That's an unheard-of record in today's world and is something fans will be talking about for quite a while.

#4 Las Vegas Aces acquiring Riquna Williams and Chelsea Gray

https://www.facebook.com/LVACES/photos/a.357229574742790/674562079676203

The Las Vegas Aces made it to the Finals for the first time in organization history last season but were swept by the Seattle Storm due to not having enough depth on their roster. Fast forward to 2021, however, and the team has seemingly fixed that with the addition of Chelsey Gray and Riquna Williams. These two women alone are going to bring a lot of firepower to an already jam-packed roster.

Think about it! This team doesn't have much to worry about this season between A'ja Wilson's capabilities as a scorer and Liz Cambage's defense. Add in players like Dearica Hamby and Destiny Slocum, and you might just have an unstoppable team.

#3 The Las Vegas Golden Knights clinching a playoff spot

https://www.facebook.com/1463675410551930/photos/t.100018536063121/2410161039236691/?type=3

The Las Vegas Golden Knights have now clinched a playoff spot, and while they have a long road ahead, if they want to make it back to the Stanley Cup Finals, it's a road they seem prepared for. Between the goalie rotation of Marc Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner, plus the unstoppable force that is their offense, this team is poised for great things. Whether that results in an elusive first championship or not remains to be seen, but with an all-star cast of Max Pacioretty, Alec Martinez, Shea Theodore, and Marc Andre Fleury, they could go all the way this year.

#2 The Las Vegas Raiders winning their final game of the season

https://www.facebook.com/Raiders/photos/4039101096120347

The Las Vegas Raiders went on a disastrous three-game losing streak at the end of the 2020 season, leaving them with no chance of making the playoffs. While that was heartbreaking to see, especially since the team was on a great 6-4 run in their first ten games of the season, it was amazing to watch them win the final game of the season. If nothing else, it gave the organization momentum for the future and allowed coach Jon Gruden something to build upon in the process.

In the end, the Raiders have a lot they need to work on if they even want to think about being competitive this season, but that last win was a great start. It even showed that the Raiders have some strength against the lesser teams in their division, giving them a decent chance of staying competitive next season. Of course, all that will depend on Gruden's changes during the offseason, but there is so much potential here if they play their cards right.

#1 Fans being allowed back at T-Mobile Arena

https://www.facebook.com/RandyHatadaXPANDREALTY/photos/t.100018536063121/1133743900408373/?type=3

It's no secret that people want to go back to large-scale events. Fortunately for fans of the Las Vegas Golden Knights, T-Mobile Arena opened up to 25% capacity, allowing spectators to see the Knights before the playoffs. While it probably won't take away from the fact that fans haven't been allowed in the arena for most of the season, it is nice to see that some of them will at least get a chance to see the Knights one time this season. They will also get to take in the new normal of watching a sporting event during the pandemic era.