Las Vegas Aces defeat Mercury to claim third WNBA title in 4 seasons

A’ja Wilson scored 31 points, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young both added 18, and the Las Vegas Aces won their third WNBA championship in four seasons, beating the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 Friday night for a four-game Finals sweep.

The Aces quickly secured the league’s first best-of-seven final. It was another offensive onslaught from Las Vegas, which scored 54 points in the first half and averaged more than 90 points per game in the series.

Wilson- a four-time MVP – was in the middle of the action again, although she didn’t have the best night of filming. She finished 7 of 21 from the field, but made 17 of 19 free throws. Gray made four 3-pointers, including two in the fourth quarter, to help stop a final Mercury rally.

The Aces led 76-62 early in the fourth quarter, but the Mercury went on an 8-0 run early in the game that cut the deficit to 76-70 with 7:56 to play. This was as close as I could get.

Kahleah Copper led the Mercury with 30 points, shooting 12 of 22 from the field. Alyssa Thomas had 17 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts was ejected in the third quarter after receiving two quick technical fouls from official Gina Cross. Tibbetts was contesting a foul against Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani and reacted in disbelief as he was escorted off the court.

DeWanna Bonner and Copper were also warned for technical fouls in the fourth quarter.

The Aces never trailed in the deciding series, taking a 30-21 lead at the end of the first quarter on 55% shooting. Jewell Loyd, Gray and Dana Evans made three straight 3s early in the second quarter to give Las Vegas a 19-point lead.

Las Vegas settled for a 54-38 halftime advantage. Wilson had 14 points before the break while Gray added 10.

The Mercury were without forward Satou Sabally, who suffered a concussion late in Game 3. They suffered another blow Friday when Thomas had to leave just before halftime after taking a hard hit to the right shoulder on a Loyd screen.

Thomas returned in the second half but was hampered by the injury.

The Mercury had a deep playoff run under Tibbetts, but couldn’t find a way to slow down the Aces. Phoenix reached the final after defeating the defending champion New York Liberty in the first round and eliminating the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the semifinals.

Phoenix also lost in the WNBA Finals for the second time in five years. falling in the Chicago sky in 2021. The Mercury have won three championships, the last coming in 2014.