The Las Vegas Aces, in a four-game sweep, defeated the Phoenix Mercury to win their third WNBA championship.

In Game One, A’ja Willson and Dana Evans led the Aces, each scoring 21 points. Las Vegas’s bench was clutch, scoring 41 points, compared to Phoenix’s reserves, who only scored 16. The Mercury were up at halftime, but during the second half, the Aces came back to win. Although Phoenix’s Kahleah Cooper scored 19 points in the first half, she scored only 21 total.

In Game Two, Jackie Young led the Aces, scoring a career high of 32 points, 21 of which were in the third quarter. The 91-78 win put the Aces in a 2-0 lead in the five-game series.

The third game was the closest of all, with Willson making a turnaround jumpshot with just 0.3 seconds left to win the game, 90-88. Willson led the Aces, putting up 34 points to give the Aces a 3-0 series lead. Notably, in Game Three, Las Vegas set a WNBA record with nine three-point baskets in just the first half, which the team did again in Game Four.

In the fourth game, the Aces led throughout the game, despite Phoenix’s attempt at a comeback in the fourth quarter. Mercury coach, Nate Tibbetts, was ejected after two quick technical fouls for arguing a foul call with 2:41 minutes left in the third quarter. Tibbetts became the first coach to be ejected from a Finals game. Willson was the top scorer for Las Vegas with 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.

Willson – a four-time regular season MVP – won the Finals MVP award. After the locker room champagne celebration, Willson said, “I’m so grateful to be with this bunch – and that’s not the alcohol talking.” Willson is now the first WNBA or NBA player to win MVP, the scoring title, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP all within the same season.

The series win was the Aces’ third championship title, with the previous being consecutive titles in 2022 and 2023. This success makes them one of four WNBA teams with three or more championship wins.