A brand new WNBA dynasty rises because the Las Vegas Aces — led by 4-time MVP A’ja Wilson — sweep the Phoenix Mercury within the league’s first-ever best-of-seven finals sequence
Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon didn’t name her Aces a dynasty after they received a 3rd WNBA title in 4 seasons, however she got here shut.
“These girls are on the high of the sport, and it’s the finest basketball that the WNBA has ever seen, from high to backside,” Hammon mentioned.
Aces guard Chelsea Grey was extra direct. A dynasty?
“Sure,” she mentioned. “Sure.”
League MVP A’ja Wilson scored 31 factors and grabbed 9 rebounds whereas Grey added 18 factors because the Aces beat the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 in Recreation 4 on Friday (Saturday, October 11, Manila time) to finish a sweep of the first-ever best-of-seven WNBA Finals.
4-time regular-season MVP Wilson made 17 of 19 free throws whereas locking up her second Finals MVP Award. She received her first in 2023, the second of the Aces’ two straight titles.
Solely the Houston Comets, who received the primary 4 league titles (1997-2000), had a greater run.
“These gamers are larger, stronger, quicker and extra expert than (the league) was 10 years in the past,” Hammon mentioned. “The talent set, the extent these guys are at, will not be comparable.”
On the postgame media convention, Wilson celebrated with aquamarine goggles, a pink tambourine, a white 2025 WNBA championship towel and a tiny little burp.
“I’m a Southern woman, and within the Baptist church,” Wilson mentioned, shaking the tambourine, “you knew the phrase was highly effective. The phrase was highly effective for us in the present day.”
Jackie Younger contributed 18 factors and eight assists, Jewell Loyd put up 12 factors and Dana Evans chipped in with 10 for the Aces, who made 12 3-pointers and dedicated solely seven turnovers. Grey and Loyd sank 4 treys apiece.
Mercury guard Kahleah Copper had a profession playoff-high 30 factors earlier than fouling out within the closing minutes. Alyssa Thomas had her tenth triple-double of the yr, her second within the postseason, however Phoenix couldn’t overcome the lack of main scorer Satou Sabally.
Sabally, averaging 19 factors a sport within the postseason, missed the sport after being identified with a concussion when she collided the Aces’ Kierstan Bell late within the Mercury’s 90-88 loss in Recreation 3 on Wednesday.
“We bumped into a very good group, proper?” Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts mentioned. “We ran right into a group that has been by way of it collectively. We ran right into a group that had the last word perception and belief that they might get it achieved. I really like what we’ve got began to construct right here.”
Thomas registered 17 factors, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. DeWanna Bonner, who began rather than Sabally, logged 10 factors and 10 rebounds, however the Mercury dedicated 18 turnovers that led to 26 Las Vegas factors.
The Aces completed with 25 wins of their closing 28 video games after absorbing a 111-58 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Aug. 2.
“To be right here proper now, after the place we have been, there was lots of doubt apart from in that locker room,” Grey mentioned. “We’ve confidence in one another. We stayed the course and trusted the method.”
Wilson averaged 28.5 factors and 11.8 rebounds within the sequence, ending one rebound wanting her fourth consecutive double-double. She had 30 factors in 4 of her final six playoff video games.
The Aces received seven of the eight video games performed in opposition to the Mercury this season, together with all 4 in Phoenix. Wilson didn’t play in the one matchup that the Aces misplaced, a 76-70 defeat in Las Vegas on June 15.
Evans made two 3-pointers and Loyd and Grey sank one apiece within the first three minutes of the second quarter because the Aces stretched their result in 42-23, their largest margin of the half.
The Aces made 9 of 17 3-point makes an attempt earlier than the break, tying the Finals file for a half that they set in Recreation 3, en path to taking a 54-38 lead into the locker room. Las Vegas had 13 assists and one turnover at halftime whereas the Mercury had seven assists and 9 turnovers.
Behind Copper, the Mercury scored the primary eight factors of the fourth quarter to chop a 14-point deficit to 76-70. Nonetheless, a 3-pointer from Grey prolonged the Aces’ result in 87-75 led with 5 minutes left. The Mercury by no means acquired nearer than eight the remainder of the best way.
“We’re by no means going to give up,” Copper mentioned.
Tibbetts was assessed two technical fouls and ejected late within the third quarter, the following free throws giving the Aces a 71-54 lead.
“I feel it was one of many weakest double technicals ever,” Tibbetts mentioned. “We’re taking part in for our playoff lives. Most coaches once they get tossed, you’re doing it on function. That was not my intention in any respect. However there have been points with the officers all yr.” – Rappler.com
