By DAVID BRANDT
PHOENIX (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces didn’t play their finest late in Sport 3 within the WNBA Finals, coughing up a 17-point lead within the ultimate quarter that meant the sport got here down to at least one offensive possession with 5 seconds remaining.
Even so, there wasn’t any panic. The safety of getting a four-time MVP within the paint is good.
A’ja Wilson made a turnaround jumper with 0.3 seconds left, capping a stellar 34-point, 14-rebound night time and lifting the Aces over the Phoenix Mercury 90-88 on Wednesday night time for a 3-0 lead within the WNBA Finals.
Aces coach Becky Hammon stated there wasn’t any dialogue about who would take the ultimate shot. There was no must overthink something.
“You give the ball to A’ja and get out of the way,” Hammon stated. “That’s all it really was.”
The Aces are one victory away from successful their third title in 4 seasons. Sport 4 is Friday in Phoenix.
Las Vegas had what seemed like a cushty 76-59 lead getting into the fourth quarter, however the Mercury closed the hole to 84-83 with 3:06 left on Kahleah Copper’s 3-pointer. DeWanna Bonner tied the sport at 86-all on a 3-pointer with 1:33 left and made two free throws with 1:01 left to tie it at 88.
That arrange Wilson’s heroics within the ultimate seconds. She took an entry cross from Chelsea Grey and made her turnaround jumper over Alyssa Thomas and Bonner because the Mercury’s dwelling crowd groaned.
“I feel like in that moment, if a coach has to tell you what to do, I’m not doing my job,” Wilson stated. “(Hammon) simply drew up a play — it wasn’t even actually a play — it was just about what you noticed. I’m appreciative that Becky trusts me in these moments.
“That’s playoff basketball. Those are the moments that you root for.”
Phoenix had one ultimate attempt to get a bucket, however Bonner’s fast jumper was no good.
The 6-foot-4 Wilson continued her dominant postseason run, making 11 of 20 photographs from the sphere and including 4 assists. She is averaging greater than 26 factors in 11 postseason video games. Jackie Younger added 21 factors.
Wilson’s 291 complete factors over 11 video games is a WNBA postseason report.
The Aces took a 2-0 lead by successful the primary two video games in Las Vegas, however the Mercury hoped for a lift from their boisterous dwelling crowd in Sport 3. As a substitute, Las Vegas thrived within the hostile ambiance, exhibiting the poise of a veteran crew that’s been in high-pressure conditions many instances.
Bonner led the Mercury with 25 factors whereas Satou Sabally had 24. Copper scored 11 of her 17 factors within the fourth quarter. Thomas was one help in need of a triple-double with 14 factors and 12 rebounds.
Sabally left the sport with 4:26 left within the fourth quarter when she received tangled with Younger after which fell into Kierstan Bell, hitting her head on the facet of her leg. Sabally stayed on the bottom for a number of minutes earlier than being helped off the court docket.
Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts stated he didn’t have an replace on Sabally following the sport.
Las Vegas used a 17-0 run halfway by means of the primary quarter to take an early 21-8 lead and by no means trailed once more. Jewell Loyd got here off the bench and made 4 3-pointers in lower than two minutes to steer the offensive onslaught.
Phoenix responded with its personal 13-0 run to tie the sport, however may by no means regain the benefit. The Mercury trailed 26-23 heading into the second quarter.
The Aces pulled away late within the second quarter to take a 55-43 lead into halftime. Las Vegas shot 9 of 16 (56.3%) from 3-point vary, together with a mixed six from bench gamers Loyd and Dana Evans.
Tibbetts stated his crew’s protection wanted to enhance after it gave up 89 factors in Sport 1 and 91 in Sport 2, however issues weren’t a lot better on Wednesday. The Aces used their early 3-point barrage to show the sport into one other high-scoring shootout.
Tibbetts stated he was pleased with his crew “for not giving in.”
“We’re not into moral victories,” Tibbetts stated. “This was a game that we wanted to get, needed to get. But for us to compete the way we did, just shows the character of our team.”
Initially Printed: October 8, 2025 at 10:55 PM PDT
