A'ja Wilson Shines as Aces Edge Mercury in Game 3 Thriller

Game 3 Highlights

The No. 2 Las Vegas Aces secured a dramatic 90-88 victory against the No. 4 Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, inching closer to clinching the championship. The atmosphere in Phoenix was electric, but it was the Aces who made the decisive plays down the stretch. A'ja Wilson emerged as the star of the night, making history with back-to-back games scoring over 25 points and 10 rebounds in Finals history.

A'ja Wilson's Historic Night

Wilson's performance was nothing short of spectacular. She finished the night with 34 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks, showcasing her clutch capability with the game-winning shot, a turnaround jumper with just 0.3 seconds left on the clock. This play not only sealed the victory but also asserted her place as one of the greatest players in WNBA history.

“A'ja has a knack for showing up when it matters most. She's the heartbeat of this team,” said Aces coach Becky Hammon.

With this victory, Wilson became the first player in Finals history to achieve consecutive games with such a performance, reinforcing her candidacy as the league's most valuable player.

Supporting Cast Shines

But Wilson didn't do it alone. Jackie Young delivered an impressive performance of her own, contributing 21 points and 9 assists. The duo of Wilson and Young combined to not only score but to create opportunities, tallying 72 points when including assists—remarkably, this figure ranks as the fifth highest in WNBA Finals history.

Jewell Loyd added her own splash of energy, sinking four three-pointers early on, helping the Aces maintain a lead for most of the game.

Fourth Quarter Drama

Entering the fourth quarter with a comfortable cushion, the Aces faced a formidable challenge as the Mercury, led by DeWanna Bonner and Kahleah Copper, unleashed a robust comeback, outscoring the Aces 29-14 in the final period. The defensive pressure the Aces once thrived on began to crack under the urgency of the moment.

Notably, Satou Sabally's exit due to a head injury late in the game left the Mercury scrambling. However, her potential absence in Game 4 poses a critical question: can the Mercury maintain this momentum without her key contributions?

The Road Ahead

As the series heads into Game 4 on Friday, October 10, at 8 PM ET, the pressure now shifts to the Mercury as they need to rebound from this heart-wrenching defeat. Coach Nate Tibbetts must concoct a game plan to disrupt Wilson's rhythm and capitalize on defensive lapses that allowed the Aces early success.

The Aces, with their winning combination of strategy and execution led by Hammon's tactical genius, seem poised for a third championship in four years. They've shown resilience even when the game got tight, which makes them formidable opponents.

Conclusion: Who Will Prevail?

As fans anticipate what will surely be another thrilling encounter, the stakes couldn't be higher for both teams. Can the Mercury rally together and counteract Wilson's sheer brilliance, or will the Aces continue their dominion in WNBA history? The upcoming games will be critical in defining legacies for both teams.