Aces Sweep Mercury to Claim Third WNBA Title

PHOENIX — The Las Vegas Aces clinched their third WNBA championship in four seasons on Friday, completing a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Mercury with a 97-86 victory at Mortgage Matchup Center. Aja Wilson led the Aces with 31 points and nine rebounds and was named Finals MVP after a series in which she averaged roughly 28 points and 12 rebounds, cementing a dominant individual season that also included regular-season MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Las Vegas seized control early, outscoring Phoenix 30-21 in the opening quarter and piling up 54 points by halftime. The Aces finished the game with 12 three-pointers and limited turnovers, with Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young each adding 18 points. Phoenix rallied at times — Kahleah Copper scored 30 points and Alyssa Thomas recorded a 17-12-10 triple-double — but the Mercury were undermanned. Satou Sabally missed the clincher after sustaining a concussion late in Game 3, and Phoenix committed 18 turnovers that yielded 26 Las Vegas points.

Friday’s game included a dramatic ejection when Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts received two quick technical fouls in the third quarter and was escorted from the floor. The episode followed...