The Las Vegas Aces win their third title in the last four WNBA seasons with a dominant 4-0 sweep of the Phoenix Mercury.
The Las Vegas Aces remained composed late to complete the four-game sweep of the Mercury in their best-of-seven series, finishing off Phoenix, 97-86, at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Arizona on Friday night (Saturday, Manila time).
The Aces saw their lead shrink to as small as six points after previously leading by as much as 20 points in the second half against a desperate Mercury team that also saw head coach Nate Tibbetts tossed out of the court late in the third quarter.
Tibbetts was ejected when he got up into the face of referee gina Cross as he argued a call on Monique Akoa Makani.
Just like they did after Satou Sabally’s injury in Game 3, the Mercury showed tremendous fight after a setback to the team. Powered by Kahleah Copper, Phoenix were within six, 72-78, with 7:14 ticks left in the game.
Las Vegas held a 20-point lead after a pair of A’ja Wilson free throws, 58-38, with 8:41 remaining in the third salvo.
But Chelsea Gray sparked the Aces’ offense including two triples in a pivotal run late in Game 4 to push the Aces’ lead back to 11, 90-79, with 3:20 remaining.
With time not on their side, the Mercury were unable to threaten for the rest of the match as the Aces rolled to victory and their third title in franchise history.
Four-time WNBA MVP Wilson, who also drilled the go-ahead bucket to win the match in Game 3, finished with 31 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in the title-clinching victory.
Gray chipped in with 18 markers, four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Jackie Young added 18 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and one steal.
Copper, who fouled out late in the ball game, paced the Mercury in the loss with 30 points as they wrapped up the WNBA season.
Alyssa Thomas, meanwhile, recorded her third triple-double in the WNBA Finals with 17 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists in the losing effort.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.