A’ja Wilson Leads Las Vegas Aces to Crucial WNBA Finals Victory
In a tense encounter, the Las Vegas Aces secured a crucial 90-88 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, putting them at 3-0 in the WNBA Finals. A’ja Wilson, with a stellar performance, was the key figure of the match.With only five seconds left on the clock and the score tied, Wilson received the ball, dribbled, and, facing the double team of DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas, executed a shot that sealed the victory. This triumph leaves the Aces one win away from their third title in four years.
Wilson’s decisive play, the ninth winning basket in the last five seconds of a Finals game in WNBA history, was exactly as coach Becky Hammon had planned. “Give the ball to A’ja and get out of the way,” Hammon joked. Wilson finished the game with 34 points, 14 rebounds, and 59% field goal efficiency. Her performance was not only outstanding in offense, but also in defense, limiting the Mercury to 18% shooting efficiency when she was defending them. Despite a last-minute error, when she lost the ball, Wilson remained focused and secured the victory. “I knew I had to get the ball back somehow,” she commented. The Aces dominated the game for the first 30 minutes, building a 17-point lead. However, the Mercury reacted in the last quarter, demonstrating their fighting spirit. The Phoenix team, which includes players like Jewell Loyd, did not give up easily.“We needed to win this game,” Wilson stated. “My main mindset was to win possessions, win quarters, and everything else would come as a bonus.”
A’ja Wilson
