PHOENIX (AP) — A’ja Wilson scored 31 points, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young both added 18 and the Las Vegas Aces won their third WNBA championship in four seasons, beating the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 on Friday night for a four-game sweep in the finals.
The Aces made quick work of the competition’s first best-of-seven finals. It was another offensive onslaught from Las Vegas, which scored 54 points in the first half and averaged more than 90 points per game in the series.
Wilson – a four-time MVP – was once again in the thick of the action, even if she didn’t have the best shooting night. She finished 7 of 21 from the field, but made 17 of 19 free throws. Gray made four three-pointers, including two in the fourth quarter, to help turn around a final rally by the Mercury.
The Aces led 76-62 entering the fourth quarter, but the Mercury went on an 8-0 run early, cutting the deficit to 76-70 with 7:56 remaining. That was as close as they could get.
Kahleah Copper led the Mercury with 30 points, shooting 12 of 22 from the field. Alyssa Thomas had 17 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts was ejected in the third quarter after two quick technical fouls by official Gina Cross. Tibbetts called a foul call on Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani and reacted in disbelief as he was escorted off the field.
DeWanna Bonner and Copper were also called for technical fouls in the fourth quarter.
The Aces never trailed in the series finale, building a 30-21 lead on 55% shooting by the end of the first quarter. Jewell Loyd, Gray and Dana Evans made three straight 3s early in the second quarter to give Las Vegas a 19 lead.
Las Vegas settled for a 54-38 halftime advantage. Wilson had 14 points before halftime, while Gray added 10.
The Mercury were without forward Satou Sabally, who suffered a concussion at the end of Game 3. They suffered another injury scare on Friday when Thomas had to leave just before halftime after taking a hard blow to her right shoulder on a Loyd screen.
Thomas returned for the second half but was hampered by the injury.
The Mercury enjoyed a deep playoff run under Tibbetts, but couldn’t find a way to slow down the Aces. Phoenix made it to the finals after defeating defending champion New York Liberty in the opening round and eliminating the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the semifinals.
Phoenix lost in the WNBA Finals for the second time in five years, also falling to the Chicago Sky in 2021. The Mercury has won three championships, the last in 2014.
