In an exciting WNBA final encounter, the Las Vegas Aces are one step away from victory, after defeating the Phoenix Mercury on three consecutive occasions. The last match, which culminated in a score of 90-88 in favor of Las Vegas, left the Mercury on the verge of elimination.
Despite Phoenix’s efforts to overcome a 17-point deficit in the third game, A’ja Wilson’s last-second shot sealed the victory for the Aces. Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts acknowledged the strength of their opponent, describing them as a “well-oiled machine”.
The Aces, who advanced to the final as the second seed, will seek to secure their third WNBA championship in Game 4, which will be played on Friday. The Aces’ path to the final was not easy. After an irregular start to the season, they achieved an impressive winning streak that propelled them to the playoffs. Coach Becky Hammon’s defensive strategy, timely performances from the reserves, and the performance of their core of key players, including Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray, have been fundamental to their success.In the first game, Loyd and Evans combined to score 39 points, while Hammon implemented a zone defense that surprised the Mercury. In the second game, the Aces opted for a defensive change, limiting the Mercury to their second-lowest score of the playoffs. Young and Wilson led the attack with a dominant performance. In the third game, Hammon implemented various defenses from the start, disrupting the Mercury’s fast breaks. Despite Phoenix’s attempt to tie the score in the final minute, Wilson proved her worth once again, securing the final possession for the Aces. With one more victory, Las Vegas will be crowned champion in this WNBA final.I’m incredibly proud of them. They’ve worked hard off the court, and I think it really shows on the court.
Becky Hammon
