WNBA Finals on Edge: Aces Near Sweep, But Mercury Aren’t Done Yet
- Cloud 9 News
- Oct 10
- 2 min read
Phoenix, AZ - October 10, 2025 – The Las Vegas Aces are one win away from a historic sweep in the 2025 WNBA Finals, but the Phoenix Mercury refused to fade quietly in a tense Game 4 at Footprint Center, where the Aces hold a commanding 46-30 lead early in the second quarter.With the series at 3-0, Las Vegas—chasing its third title in four seasons—dominated the opening frame behind scorching 3-point shooting (6-of-10) and zero turnovers, setting the tone for what could be a coronation on the road.
A'ja Wilson, the four-time MVP and series darling, shrugged off an ankle scare in the first quarter—rolling her right foot after landing awkwardly on Mercury forward Kathryn Westbeld's— to drop 12 points, snag three rebounds, and dish two assists before the break.The Aces' star, averaging 27.7 points through three games, has been the Finals' gravitational force, including her iconic game-winner in Game 3's 90-88 thriller that clinched the 3-0 edge. "She's carrying us," Aces coach Becky Hammon said post-Game 3. "But this team's depth is what makes her shine."
Phoenix, battered by injuries—most notably Satou Sabally's concussion sidelining her for Game 4—trailed by nine after one but showed flickers of fight, leaning on Brittney Griner's interior presence despite the Aces' 55% first-quarter field goal clip.The Mercury's home crowd, roaring for any sign of life, watched as Las Vegas extended the gap to 16 midway through the second, forcing Phoenix into early timeouts amid a 14-of-24 shooting start for the visitors.
The path to this precipice has been a defensive masterclass for Las Vegas. Game 1's 89-86 squeaker saw Wilson and Dana Evans combine for 45 points in the opener.Game 2's 91-78 rout featured Jackie Young and Wilson's 60-point explosion, suffocating Phoenix's offense to just 78 points. And Game 3? Wilson's 34-point dagger—a fadeaway with 0.1 seconds left—sealed the 90-88 nail-biter, leaving Mercury coach Sandy Brondello pleading for resilience: "We've been here before. Fight like hell."
No team has ever come back from 3-0 down in WNBA Finals history, but Phoenix's grit—evident in their regular-season 23-17 mark and playoff run past the Sun—keeps hope flickering.Griner, with 22 points in Game 3, and Kahleah Copper's scoring punch could spark a rally if the Mercury tighten their 3-point defense (yielding 60% early).
As the clock ticks toward halftime on ESPN, the Aces eye dynasty status, but the Mercury's defiance reminds us: In the WNBA, sweeps are earned, not assumed. Game 5, if needed, looms Sunday in Vegas.
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