LAS VEGAS, NV — The Las Vegas Aces are halfway to another championship after a commanding 91-78 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday afternoon at Michelob Ultra Arena. With the victory, the Aces took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven WNBA Finals and are now just two wins away from claiming their third title in four years.
After the Aces’ bench stole the spotlight in Game 1, Las Vegas’ All-Star trio of A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray made sure Game 2 was theirs. The group combined for 70 of the team’s 91 points, overwhelming Phoenix on both ends of the floor.
Wilson delivered another MVP-caliber performance with 28 points and 14 rebounds, while Young was unstoppable in the second half, finishing with 32 points and eight boards. Gray added a 10-point, 10-assist double-double, becoming just the fifth player in WNBA Finals history to record double-digit assists in consecutive games.
“We’re playing connected basketball right now,” Wilson said postgame. “When we move the ball and trust each other, we’re hard to stop.”
Mercury Struggle to Keep Pace
Phoenix kept things competitive early, but foul trouble and cold shooting doomed their chances. Kahleah Copper paced the Mercury with 21 points, while Satou Sabally added 12 points and five rebounds before exiting late in the fourth quarter with an apparent right ankle injury. Alyssa Thomas chipped in 10 points and six rebounds, but picked up her fourth foul midway through the third quarter, stalling the Mercury’s momentum.
The Mercury were held to 3-of-15 from beyond the arc and were outrebounded 14-6 in the second quarter alone — a stretch that allowed Las Vegas to build separation.
How It Happened
First Quarter – Mercury 27, Aces 24:
Phoenix came out strong, leading by as many as eight points before Las Vegas answered with a 10-0 run to briefly take the lead. The quarter featured four ties and four lead changes as both teams traded buckets early. Copper scored 11 of her 21 points in the opening frame, while Wilson, Gray, and Young each tallied seven for the Aces.
Halftime – Aces 46, Mercury 37:
The second quarter belonged to Wilson, who poured in 13 of her 20 first-half points to push Las Vegas ahead by nine. The Aces outscored Phoenix 22-10 in the frame, taking control on the glass and in transition. Gray dished out seven assists by halftime, while Young added nine points and four rebounds.
Third Quarter – Aces Take Command:
If the second quarter was Wilson’s, the third was all Jackie Young. The All-Star guard exploded for 21 points in the period, stretching the Aces’ lead to 15 and putting the game out of reach. Phoenix never recovered, as the Aces’ defensive pressure forced rushed shots and turnovers.
Looking Ahead
The WNBA Finals now shift to Phoenix for Game 3 on Wednesday, where the Mercury will look to keep their championship hopes alive.
For Las Vegas, the focus is on maintaining momentum. The Aces have now won all five of their postseason games by double digits and continue to look every bit like a dynasty in motion.
Next Game: Game 3 – Wednesday in Phoenix
