A’ja Wilson‘s Clutch Shot Propels Las vegas Aces to 3-0 finals Lead
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson delivered a pivotal turnaround jumper with seconds remaining in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, securing a victory over the Phoenix Mercury and giving the aces a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. The shot, made on the left side of the floor, provided the winning margin in a game where Wilson once again proved to be the driving force for her team.
“Those are the moments that you live for, so I’m glad I was able to show up,” Wilson stated after the game.
The game-winner evoked memories of Wilson’s crucial shot in Game 4 of the 2023 WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty, wich helped the Aces clinch back-to-back championships and earned Wilson her Finals MVP trophy. Reflecting on the comparison, Wilson noted, “This one gotta be over that one, only as we got the dub. This is the one that kind of sealed Game 3 for us.”
The Mercury attempted to adjust their defensive strategy to contain wilson, initially assigning Natasha Mack to guard her and Chelsea Gray guarded by Sophie Cunningham. Though, Phoenix quickly cycled through defenders, including Brittney Griner, Kathryn Westbeld, and Cunningham, as Wilson consistently found ways to score.
Wilson opened the game with an early scoring burst, contributing to a 15-8 lead for Las Vegas as Mack struggled to defend her perimeter shots. Throughout the contest, Wilson consistently answered whenever the Mercury threatened to close the gap. She had a spin move in the post to regain the lead when the score was tied at 21-21, and responded with a crucial basket after Phoenix trimmed an eight-point advantage to three in the second quarter.
After a scoring drought of four minutes and 40 seconds in the fourth quarter, the Aces turned to Wilson to close out the game. Beyond scoring, Wilson contributed significantly on both ends of the court, finishing with three blocks and 14 rebounds.She also played a key role in facilitating the offense, setting screens that helped teammate Kelsey Plum score 21 points. Wilson’s basketball IQ was on display as she quickly moved the ball and made smart reads even when facing double teams.
aces coach becky Hammon emphasized the importance of getting wilson the ball during a critical timeout, recognizing her ability to deliver in clutch moments. This directive came after Wilson briefly lost possession on the previous play, giving the Mercury a chance to take the lead.
“I just had to get that one back, because that would have crushed my whole soul,” Wilson admitted. “But when I saw the play was for me,I was like,Becky trusts me,so I gotta make something happen.”
The victory, secured in a opposed surroundings and following previous close calls against the Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever in earlier playoff rounds, solidifies Wilson’s status as a leading figure in the WNBA. Her teammates expressed confidence in her ability to deliver, and the entire organization demonstrated unwavering faith in her leadership.
