The Las Vegas Aces have emphatically secured their place as a WNBA dynasty, capturing their third championship in four seasons by sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the 2025 WNBA Finals. Superstar A’ja Wilson delivered a historic performance, becoming the first player ever to win the regular season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in the same extraordinary season, leading her team to a commanding 97-86 victory in Game 4.
The Las Vegas Aces have etched their names into WNBA history, officially cementing their place as a formidable dynasty. With a dominant four-game sweep over the Phoenix Mercury in the 2025 WNBA Finals, the Aces captured their third championship in just four seasons. The decisive moment came with a 97-86 victory in Game 4, capping off the league’s first-ever best-of-seven finals format.
A’ja Wilson’s Unprecedented Historic Season
At the heart of the Aces’ sustained excellence is A’ja Wilson, whose name has become synonymous with WNBA greatness. In Game 4, Wilson delivered another masterclass performance, tallying 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. Her unparalleled dominance throughout the postseason earned her the Finals MVP award for the second time in her illustrious career.
Beyond individual game heroics, Wilson made history by becoming the first player in WNBA history to win the regular season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in the same season, a feat that underscores her complete two-way impact on the game. This extraordinary achievement places her in an exclusive echelon of basketball legends, as highlighted by official WNBA reporting and major sports outlets like ESPN.
The Aces’ Balanced Attack and Resilient Journey
While Wilson was the undisputed leader, the Aces’ victory was a testament to their deep and balanced roster. Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray each contributed 18 points in Game 4, showcasing their clutch scoring ability, while Jewell Loyd added 12 points. This collective firepower and unwavering defensive tenacity proved too much for the Mercury to overcome.
The championship marks a triumphant return for the Aces, who experienced a disappointing exit in last year’s semifinals. Head coach Becky Hammon praised her team’s resilience, especially given their challenging start to the 2025 season. The team famously began with a 14-14 record before igniting a remarkable 16-game winning streak to close out the regular season, a turnaround that speaks volumes about their championship pedigree and mental fortitude, as reported by CNN Sports.
Phoenix Mercury: A Valiant Fight Marred by Ejection and Injuries
Despite being swept, the Phoenix Mercury showed flashes of brilliance and immense resilience. Kahleah Copper delivered a stellar 30-point performance in Game 4, while Alyssa Thomas continued to impress, even recording a triple-double earlier in the series. The Mercury’s journey to the Finals was itself an underdog story, as they entered the season with a largely new roster, retaining only two players from the previous year, highlighting their impressive chemistry development and battle-tested playoff runs, as noted by USA TODAY Sports.
However, the series was not without its controversial moments for Phoenix. Head coach Nate Tibbetts was ejected in the third quarter of Game 4 after receiving a double technical foul for arguing with a referee’s call. Tibbetts was visibly confused by the decision and did not mince words after the game.
“I think it’s one of the weakest double technicals ever. I didn’t even know I got the second one, to be completely honest,” Tibbetts stated, as reported by The Athletic. He expressed frustration, feeling the ejection was “not needed” and “bullsh—“, and that it “embarrassed” his team and fans. The Mercury also battled significant injuries throughout the Finals, with Satou Sabally suffering a concussion in Game 3 and Alyssa Thomas battling a shoulder injury in Game 4, which impacted her performance despite her valiant return to the court.
The Future of the Aces Dynasty
The Aces’ sustained excellence positions them among the WNBA’s greatest dynasties. While comparisons to teams like the Houston Comets, who won four consecutive titles, are inevitable, the Aces’ unique blend of individual brilliance and team chemistry sets them apart.
Looking ahead, the future of this powerhouse squad remains a topic of intense discussion among fans, especially with most of the roster heading into free agency. However, for now, the Aces are rightfully basking in the glow of another title, their third in four years, a testament to their dominant run and a celebration that resonates throughout the league. As coach Becky Hammon eloquently put it, A’ja Wilson is “alone on Everest” in terms of her impact and legacy, a sentiment echoed by the entire basketball community.
