The Las Vegas Aces wrapped up an impressive postseason with a solid 97-86 win against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 4 on Friday night, completing a sweep in the 2025 WNBA Finals and claiming their third championship in four years.
The Aces swept the Mercury to clinch their third WNBA title, and you could feel the excitement in the air at the Michelob ULTRA Arena. Fans packed the venue, cheering as confetti fell and the hometown heroes raised the trophy, all under the bright lights of the Strip.
It was a night that truly belonged to A’ja Wilson, the unstoppable force at the core of Las Vegas’ dynasty. The 29-year-old superstar scored 31 points with an impressive 12-of-19 shooting, pulled down nine rebounds, handed out four assists, blocked three shots, and grabbed two steals, showcasing her regular-season brilliance once again.
Wilson snagged her second Finals MVP award for her hard work, which is a perfect way to wrap up an incredible season. Can you believe it? No player in WNBA or NBA history has ever pulled off a clean sweep like this: scoring champion, league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and now Finals MVP—all in one season!
“This one’s for the doubters,” Wilson said after the game, her voice a bit raspy from all the celebrating, with sweat still glistening on her forehead. “We faced some challenges halfway through the season, but we kept the faith.”
That’s what champions are all about. With coach Becky Hammon at the helm, the Aces turned their early missteps into motivation for an impressive comeback. They hit a bit of a rough patch in July, losing five out of seven games, and there were some murmurs about complacency setting in after winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.
Hammon, the groundbreaking former Spurs assistant who stepped in to lead the team in Vegas three years ago, brought her squad together with a blend of tough love and some smart adjustments.
“We went back to the fundamentals; defence comes first, and then we let the offence take over,” Hammon shared during her sideline huddles, a strategy that really worked out well.
The Aces wrapped up the regular season with an impressive 12-3 record, securing the top seed and cruising through the playoffs without a hitch. Game 4 played out like a perfect example of control. Phoenix, led by Brittney Griner’s impressive 22 points and 10 rebounds, stayed competitive early on, only down by four at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Mercury’s defence fell apart. Wilson took control inside, and Kelsey Plum was on fire from beyond the arc, hitting four threes for a total of 18 points, which fuelled a 28-15 run. By the fourth, Las Vegas had pulled ahead by 15, and the arena was buzzing with a wave of silver and black cheers.
Chelsea Grey chipped in with 16 points and seven assists, and her calmness during those tense moments really put a stop to any comeback efforts from the Mercury. Diana Taurasi, the timeless star of the Mercury, put up a strong fight with 19 points, but the Aces’ teamwork was just too much to handle.
This sweep really shows that the Aces are more than just a contender; they’re officially a dynasty now, standing alongside legends like the Comets from the ’90s and the Sparks from the early 2000s. It’s pretty amazing to think that a franchise that started in 2018 has already snagged three rings in just four seasons.
That’s some serious success! Let’s not forget about Hammon’s staff; assistant coach Natalie Nakase really nailed it with her defensive strategies, which kept Phoenix’s transition game in check and limited them to just 38% shooting from the field.
The win really hits home beyond just the game. Wilson’s quadruple crown breaks down barriers and inspires a whole new generation of basketball dreams in a league that’s really taking off.
Attendance at WNBA games jumped by 20% this season, and broadcasts attracted record viewership, figures that commissioner Cathy Engelbert called “a tipping point”. When the Aces parade through downtown Vegas on Sunday, get ready for the celebration to take over the streets, with Wilson leading the way, trophy in hand.
For Phoenix, it’s a tough way to wrap up a strong campaign. Griner is back and ready to come back even stronger after taking some time off, promising a faster recovery this time around. “We’ll be back,” she said to the reporters, her competitive spirit still shining bright. Tonight, all eyes are on Sin City, where the Aces have been proving the doubters wrong – one sweep at a time.
