Las Vegas Aces one step away from the WNBA title after defeating Phoenix Mercury in an exciting Game 3
In an encounter full of emotions that was defined in the last seconds, the Las Vegas Aces, ranked second, defeated the Phoenix Mercury, ranked fourth, with a score of 90-88 in Game 3 of the series. Now, the Aces are only one victory away from securing the 2025 WNBA championship.
A’ja Wilson, the Aces star, made history by becoming the first player in WNBA Finals history to achieve consecutive games with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Wilson finished the night with 34 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks, including the decisive basket that sealed her team’s victory.
The game was marred by an injury to the Mercury’s Satou Sabally, who had to leave the game in the final quarter due to a head injury. Her status for the next game is uncertain.
Game 4, which could be decisive, will be played on Friday in Phoenix, where the Aces will seek to sweep the series and obtain their third title in four years.The Aces’ Road to Victory
A’ja Wilson shined once again, demonstrating why she is one of the most outstanding players in the history of the WNBA Finals. With the score tied at 88 with five seconds remaining on the clock, coach Becky Hammon designed a play for Wilson. Despite the double team, Wilson managed to score a jump shot from the elbow, securing the victory for the Aces.
Wilson was the key for Las Vegas throughout the game, finishing with 34 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks. This was his ninth playoff game with 30 or more points and the fourth this postseason, both historical records.
Jackie Young also had an outstanding performance, contributing 21 points and 9 assists. Together, Wilson and Young scored or assisted on 72 points, the fifth-most in WNBA Finals history for a duo.
Jewell Loyd propelled the Aces in the first quarter with four three-pointers, silencing the Phoenix crowd. Loyd finished with 16 points and 7 rebounds.
Despite being outscored 29-14 in the final quarter, the Aces’ defense in the third quarter, which limited the Mercury to only 16 points, was key. Megan Gustafson made an important defensive play by stopping a basket attempt by Alyssa Thomas, setting the stage for Wilson’s victory.The Mercury’s Effort
The Mercury fought to overcome a 17-point deficit in the third quarter, but their defensive problems on the perimeter and the difficulty in containing Wilson cost them the game. Coach Nate Tibbetts tried a different defensive strategy, assigning Thomas the task of guarding Chelsea Gray, but it was unsuccessful.
Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner led Phoenix’s comeback, scoring 20 of the 29 points in the final quarter. Copper scored 11 consecutive points and Bonner tied the score twice in the last minute and a half.
Satou Sabally scored 24 points before leaving the game due to a head injury.Keys for Game 4
Phoenix’s ability to find a defensive solution will be crucial. Coach Hammon has used a scheme with shooters around Wilson, making it difficult to double-team. The Mercury need to adjust their defense to stop Wilson and the Aces’ shooters.
Despite the challenges, the Mercury found something positive in the second half, by not allowing the Aces to score any three-pointers, after Las Vegas scored nine three-pointers in the first half.
Wilson seems unstoppable, and Hammon, with a 9-2 record in the WNBA Finals, has made the right decisions so far. Tibbetts has two days to devise a defensive strategy that can stop the Aces.
