The Las Vegas Aces have officially cemented their place as a WNBA dynasty, capturing their third championship in four seasons with a commanding 97-86 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on October 10, 2025. The celebratory scene at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix was electric, and the Aces’ sweep in the first-ever best-of-seven WNBA Finals has fans and analysts alike buzzing about their historic run.
From the opening tip, the Aces looked every bit the powerhouse they’ve become under head coach Becky Hammon. They never trailed in the series-clinching Game 4, racing out to a 30-21 lead by the end of the first quarter while shooting an impressive 55% from the field. The offensive barrage continued in the second quarter, with Jewell Loyd, Chelsea Gray, and Dana Evans drilling three consecutive three-pointers to stretch the lead to 19. By halftime, Las Vegas was up 54-38, and the Mercury were left scrambling for answers.
Leading the charge was A’ja Wilson, a four-time league MVP who delivered a Finals performance for the ages. Wilson poured in 31 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and added four assists and three blocks in Game 4, earning her the Finals MVP trophy. Over the course of the series, Wilson averaged a staggering 28.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and two blocks per game. She also made history, becoming the first player ever to be named regular-season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in the same season. Her dominance left even her coach in awe. "You have your Mount Rushmore; she's alone on Everest," Hammon declared after the game.
The Aces’ path to the title wasn’t always smooth. Early in August, the team sat at a middling 14-14 record, fresh off a humbling 53-point loss to Minnesota—a defeat that could have derailed their season. Instead, it galvanized them. Las Vegas rattled off a 16-game win streak to close out the regular season, ultimately securing the No. 2 playoff seed. Including the playoffs, the Aces finished the year on a remarkable 25-3 run, a testament to their resilience and unity.
“To be right here right now [compared] to where we were ... there was a lot of doubt [but not] in that locker room,” said point guard Chelsea Gray. “We had confidence in each other. I’m just really proud of how we just stayed the course and trusted the process the entire time.” Gray was instrumental in the Finals as well, contributing 18 points and four three-pointers in Game 4, including two clutch shots in the fourth quarter to fend off a late Mercury rally. Jackie Young also added 18 points, while Loyd and Evans combined for 22 points off the bench, highlighting the Aces’ depth and balance.
The Mercury, who made a gutsy playoff run by knocking off the defending champion New York Liberty and then top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, ran out of steam in the Finals. Kahleah Copper led Phoenix with 30 points, while Alyssa Thomas posted a triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Still, Phoenix was hampered by injuries, missing forward Satou Sabally due to a concussion and seeing Thomas briefly exit before halftime after a hard screen from Loyd. Head coach Nate Tibbetts was ejected in the third quarter after receiving two technical fouls for arguing with officials, leaving assistant Kristi Toliver to guide the team the rest of the way.
Despite the adversity, the Mercury made several pushes in the second half, cutting the deficit to just six points with under eight minutes remaining. But the Aces’ poise and firepower proved too much. “Unbelievable team — they were just playing at an extremely high level,” Tibbetts admitted. “We put ourselves in position to have a chance in a couple games, but what a run they’ve been on. Hitting big shots after big shots.”
The Aces’ offensive output was nothing short of spectacular. They averaged over 90 points per game in the series and had five players score in double figures in the clincher. Their ability to execute under pressure and share the scoring load made them nearly impossible to defend. Wilson, who shot just 7-of-21 from the field in Game 4, compensated by hitting 17 of her 19 free throws, demonstrating her ability to impact the game even on an off shooting night.
The postgame celebration was as joyful as the team’s play. Wilson arrived at the press conference sporting giant ski goggles—remnants of the locker room champagne celebration—and shaking a pink tambourine. “This is a symbol of the joyfulness we have right now,” she said, grinning. “I’m just so grateful to be with this bunch — and that’s not the alcohol talking.” The Aces received the championship trophy from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who was met with boos from the Las Vegas fans in attendance, a reaction reflecting ongoing league labor issues and free agency uncertainty. Most Aces players not on rookie contracts are set to become free agents for the 2026 season, and upcoming collective bargaining talks, as well as expansion drafts for new franchises in Portland and Toronto, loom large over the offseason.
Owner Mark Davis, asked about the labor negotiations, was circumspect: “The last time I spoke about things like that, I got fined, so I think it’s better if I don’t say anything. I think they’ll work it out somehow. I hope. I haven’t been consulted. ... I don’t think that there’s two sides to this if you look at it as togetherness and trying to make the future better. I think that’s what we need to do, but we’ll see if that works.”
Hammon, who took over as head coach in 2022, now boasts a 10-2 record in WNBA Finals games—the best winning percentage in league history. Her journey from Colorado State legend, where she still holds multiple school records, to Naismith Hall of Famer and now three-time WNBA champion coach, is nothing short of remarkable. “I love being their coach. I love being their friend. Pushing them sometimes to their disliking a little bit, but I’m invested in their greatness,” Hammon reflected. “This one hits differently because it was different. There was probably a lot more adversity than any of us anticipated. We’re all human, and we’re humans that wanted to get it right and get it right together.”
As the confetti settles in Phoenix, the Aces stand tall as the team to beat. With Wilson and Young still in their prime, and a culture of resilience and joy, Las Vegas isn’t just celebrating another title—they’re building a legacy that could soon see them join the exclusive club of franchises with four championships. For now, though, they’ll savor a season that tested their mettle and ended with them on top, once again.
