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A’ja Wilson Leads Las Vegas Aces to Third WNBA Championship

by Priya Shah – Business Editor

Aces Secure 2025 WNBA Championship with Sweep of Mercury

The Las Vegas‍ Aces completed a dominant sweep of the ⁤Phoenix Mercury,​ winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs Finals 97-86 on October 10, 2025, at the Mortgage Matchup ⁢Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The victory secured the ⁤Aces their third WNBA championship in franchise history.

A pivotal run in the third quarter, a 32-18 stretch spanning into the fourth (76-70, 7:58), fueled​ by the aggressive drives of Kahleah Copper, ⁣proved crucial for Las Vegas. Copper led all scorers with a game-high 30⁢ points, including 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the third​ period. Alyssa Thomas contributed a near triple-double with 17 points, 12 ‌rebounds, and 10 assists, providing ⁤a consistent energy boost⁣ for the Mercury. Thomas overcame a shoulder issue sustained from ‍an illegal⁢ screen by ​loyd ​in the first‍ half, returning​ as a starter and powering through ‌in the second⁣ half.

Despite Phoenix’s‍ efforts ‌to close ⁤the gap, Las Vegas consistently responded. chelsea Gray hit ‌two key three-pointers in the final⁣ period,and the Aces capitalized on Mercury turnovers,scoring 26‌ points off ‌of Phoenix’s 18 miscues.

The game saw escalating frustration from the Mercury, ‍culminating in the ejection of head coach Nate Tibbets following two consecutive technical fouls in the ‍third quarter. Later,in‍ the fourth,both DeWanna Bonner ‍and Copper received technical fouls,effectively ⁢ending phoenix’s comeback attempt as Las Vegas closed out the game from the free-throw line.

The championship victory was marked by several historic ‍achievements. A’ja Wilson became the first player ‍in WNBA history to win Defensive Player of‍ the Year, MVP, and Finals MVP in the same‌ season. Chelsea ​Gray secured her fourth WNBA championship, joining an exclusive group of seven players with that ‌accomplishment. ⁤Jewell Loyd, acquired from the seattle Storm in the offseason, earned‍ her third ring and​ extended her ‍perfect record⁢ in WNBA Finals games to 10-0 (6-0 with the Storm and 4-0‌ with the Aces). Jackie Young also⁤ added ⁤a third championship ‌to her career.

On the sidelines, Aces head coach Becky Hammon tied Bill Laimbeer for second-most championships as ⁣a head coach ⁤with three. Hammon, who previously played ‌for the San Antonio⁢ Silver Stars before ​the franchise relocated⁣ to ⁤Vegas, took over the helm of the team from Laimbeer in 2021.

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