The Las Vegas Aces clinched a spot in the Commissioner’s Cup title game with an 86-76 road victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday behind A’ja Wilson’s 33 points, 10 rebounds and five steals.
The Aces (11-4, 6-1 Commissioner’s Cup) have won seven of their past eight games. They will play for the Cup in New York against the Liberty on June 30.
The Mercury (4-12, 2-5) have lost 10 of their past 12 games. They committed 22 turnovers compared to nine for Las Vegas. The Aces compiled 18 steals.
Wilson’s dominance inside led to a 42-30 scoring edge in the paint for Las Vegas. The Aces also outscored Phoenix 13-2 in second-chance points.
NaLyssa Smith had 21 points and Jackie Young 20 for the Aces. Smith made 8 of 10 shots from the field.
The trio of Wilson, Smith and Young combined to score 74 points, nearly outsourcing Phoenix.
Phoenix was led by Kahleah Copper’s 26 points.
The game had 12 lead changes and 11 ties through the first three quarters, a much closer affair than when Phoenix beat the defending WNBA champions 99-66 at Las Vegas in the season opener.
Las Vegas gained some separation early in the fourth quarter after outsourcing Phoenix 10-3 to take a 79-72 lead with 3:18 left.
Wilson’s short jumpers on consecutive possessions increased the lead to 84-74 with 1:52 remaining.
Las Vegas led by seven in the first quarter before Phoenix rallied to take a 47-38 lead with 3:24 left in the second quarter.
Phoenix led 49-45 at halftime behind 14 points from Copper and 10 from DeWanna Bonner, who did not score in the second half.
The duo combined to make 8 of 10 shots from the field in the first half, and Bonner made both of her 3-point attempts.
Wilson had 18 points for Las Vegas in the first half.
The teams had seven lead changes and five ties in the third quarter before the Aces took a 68-64 lead at the end of the period.
–Field Level Media
