WNBA · September 24, 2026

Aces Dominate Mercury in Lopsided Victory

The Las Vegas Aces marched to a decisive one hundred to eighty-two triumph over the Phoenix Mercury, silencing any doubts about their championship pedigree. Going into the contest, the pre-game forecast correctly bypassed the enduring myth of home-court advantage in the WNBA and leaned heavily into Las Vegas’s scorching six-game winning streak. Analysts had identified A’ja Wilson as the pivotal variable, predicting her star power would neutralize Phoenix’s home energy, a hypothesis that proved entirely accurate as Wilson delivered a historic performance to anchor the victory.

What unfolded was less of a competitive matchup and more of a demonstration of roster depth and motivation gaps. The Aces’ dominance in this series has been recent and overwhelming, with Las Vegas having previously won the last three meetings by an average of twenty-five points. This historical context rendered the statistical baseline irrelevant, as the Mercury simply could not mount a sustained challenge. While Phoenix hoped to exploit foul trouble for Wilson and capitalize on offensive turnovers, the Aces maintained disciplined execution, effectively shutting down the upset scenario before it could gain traction.

Ultimately, the forecast held because it correctly prioritized current form and individual brilliance over seasonal averages. Phoenix’s absence from the playoff picture dimmed their competitive fire, and the loss of Kelsey Plum to a leg injury left their offense critically underpowered. The Mercury managed a brief late rally, but it was short-circuited by their own foul troubles and Las Vegas’s relentless offensive pace. The result validated the position that Las Vegas’s momentum and Wilson’s elite scoring ability were too much for a depleted and demotivated Phoenix squad to overcome.

On the field

A’ja Wilson dominated with 34 points, leading the Las Vegas Aces to a 100-82 victory over the Phoenix Mercury. Wilson’s scoring surge was complemented by Jewell Loyd’s season-high 25 points and Stephanie Talbot’s 14, also a personal best. The Aces seized control early, scoring 14 unanswered points in the first quarter and adding 33 in the second, the game’s highest-scoring period. This offensive explosion allowed Las Vegas to build a lead of as many as 31 points, effectively sealing the win despite modest outputs from Jackie Young (5 points) and Alyssa Thomas (6 points).

Highlights

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Images and videos courtesy ESPN