By: Kwame Bediako
The Las Vegas Aces secured their third WNBA championship in just four years by defeating the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 in Game 4 of the inaugural WNBA best-of-seven finals series at Phoenix’s Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025.
A’ja Wilson led the charge with a game-high 31 points and nine rebounds, earning her the Finals MVP honor. She set the tone early, scoring 12 points in the first quarter as the Aces shot 55% and built an early double-digit lead.
Supporting Wilson’s dominant performance, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young combined for 36 points and 12 assists, maintaining a balanced offensive attack. Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans contributed 12 and 10 points respectively off the bench.
Wilson’s aggressive approach drew 19 free throw attempts-second-most in WNBA Finals history-hitting 17 of them, narrowly missing Penny Taylor’s 18-record set in 2007.
By halftime, Las Vegas had extended their lead to 54–38 with sharp ball movement and a strong 9-of-17 shooting from beyond the arc. Although Phoenix outscored the Aces 48-28 in the paint, they could not overcome the early deficit.
Phoenix Mercury fought back in the third quarter, cutting a 20-point gap (58-38) down to a two-possession game at 76-70 midway through the fourth. Kahleah Copper powered Phoenix’s comeback, finishing with 30 points, including a blazing 5-of-6 shooting stretch in the third quarter.
Alyssa Thomas provided a near triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists despite battling shoulder pain from a first-half injury. However, Phoenix’s rally stalled as Las Vegas hit critical three-pointers and capitalized on turnovers, scoring 26 points off 18 Mercury errors.
The Mercury’s frustration peaked with head coach Nate Tibbets being ejected after consecutive technical fouls in the third quarter, followed by technical fouls on DeWanna Bonner and Copper in the fourth.
The Aces maintained composure, closing out the game calmly at the foul line and solidifying their place as a dominant WNBA dynasty.
