The Las Vegas Aces captured their third WNBA crown in four years on Friday night, defeating the Phoenix Mercury 97–86 in Game 4 of the Finals at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. The victory completed a clean sweep in the league’s first-ever seven-game championship format, sealing another trophy for one of basketball’s most dominant modern franchises.
Las Vegas controlled much of the matchup behind another standout performance from A’ja Wilson, who posted 31 points and nine rebounds to secure her second Finals MVP award. The regular-season MVP was relentless in the paint, drawing repeated fouls and knocking down 17 of 19 free throws.
“We fought for everything this season,” Wilson said, still wearing her celebration goggles after the game. “To be able to share this moment with my teammates means the world. We trusted each other when things got tough.”
Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young each added 18 points for Las Vegas, while Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans hit timely three-pointers to stretch Phoenix’s defense. The Aces built a 20-point cushion midway through the third quarter, but the Mercury clawed back within six in the fourth before Las Vegas re-established control.
Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper scored 30 points in a strong individual effort but fouled out with just over a minute to play, halting her team’s last push. Alyssa Thomas contributed a triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Head coach Becky Hammon praised her team’s resilience after the final buzzer. “When players believe in each other, it shows,” she said. “Our group learned how to respond to adversity and lean on encouragement instead of frustration.”
That mindset proved crucial during a turbulent year. After falling short in the 2024 semifinals, Las Vegas overhauled its front office, trading longtime guard Kelsey Plum in a three-team deal that brought in Loyd. The retooled roster started the 2025 campaign inconsistently, winning only nine of its first 20 games, but caught fire down the stretch with a 16-game winning streak to finish the regular season 30-14.
The Aces carried that surge into the postseason, outlasting Seattle and Indiana in grueling series before overwhelming Phoenix. In the Finals, Las Vegas averaged more than 90 points per game, combining Wilson’s interior dominance with a barrage of perimeter shooting.
For Hammon, the championship reinforces the culture she has built since taking over as coach. “Encouragement builds courage,” she said. “Every player found a way to lift someone else up, and that’s why we’re standing here as champions again.”
The celebration was lively but tinged with awareness of what lies ahead. The league’s collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of October, and players have already voiced concerns about compensation and scheduling. Despite the looming negotiations, the Aces’ locker room was filled with music, confetti, and champagne—proof of a team that continues to find joy in the grind.
As Wilson held the championship trophy aloft, she summed up the moment simply: “We stayed together, and we finished the job.”
This image is the property of The New Dispatch LLC and is not licenseable for external use without explicit written permission.
