Las Vegas Aces Defeat Phoenix Mercury to Clinch Spot in WNBA Commissioner's Cup Final

The Las Vegas Aces are heading back to the WNBA Commissioner's Cup championship. Behind a dominant 33-point, 11-rebound performance from A'ja Wilson, the defending WNBA champions defeated the Phoenix Mercury 86-76 on Wednesday night to clinch the Western Conference's spot in the mid-season tournament final.[1][2]

The victory sets up a highly anticipated June 30 showdown against the New York Liberty, who secured the Eastern Conference bid earlier in the week. The matchup renews a fierce rivalry between the league's two premier franchises, who previously met in the 2023 Commissioner's Cup final and the 2024 WNBA Finals.[3][5]

Wednesday's game in Phoenix was a rematch of the 2025 WNBA Finals, which the Aces swept. Unlike their previous meeting this season—a 99-66 blowout win for the Mercury—this contest was a tightly contested battle featuring 12 lead changes and 11 ties through the first three quarters.[4]

The Aces pulled away in the fourth quarter, using a suffocating defensive effort to stifle the Mercury's offense. Las Vegas recorded 18 steals, tying the Toronto Tempo for the most in a WNBA game this season. Jackie Young led the defensive charge with a career-high five steals, while Wilson added four.[2][7]

The defensive pressure translated directly to the scoreboard, with Las Vegas outscoring Phoenix 10-3 early in the fourth quarter to build a seven-point lead they would not relinquish. The Aces also capitalized on second-chance opportunities, outscoring Phoenix 13-2 in that category.[4]

Offensively, the Aces relied heavily on their star trio. Alongside Wilson's 33 points, NaLyssa Smith contributed 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, and Young added 20 points and nine assists. Together, the three players accounted for 74 of the team's 86 points.[4][7]

The Mercury, who shot a blistering 60 percent from the field in the first half to take a 49-45 lead into the break, cooled off significantly in the second half. Kahleah Copper led Phoenix with 26 points, while Alyssa Thomas recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists. The loss was the Mercury's fourth consecutive defeat, dropping them to 4-11 on the season.[2][4]

For the Aces, the victory capped a 6-1 run through the Commissioner's Cup qualifying period. The in-season tournament, which features a 49-game schedule from June 1-17, has become a lucrative and prestigious event on the WNBA calendar.[5][6]

The championship game carries a $500,000 prize pool for the players, providing a significant financial incentive. Additionally, the tournament emphasizes community impact, with the winning team earning a $10,000 donation for their chosen local charity, and the runner-up receiving $5,000. The Aces are playing for the Public Education Foundation, while the Liberty are representing the African American Policy Forum.[5][6]

Beyond the financial rewards, the Commissioner's Cup has historically served as a strong indicator of postseason success. In three of the tournament's first five years, at least one of the finalists went on to play for the WNBA championship later that season.[6]

The Aces will now turn their attention back to the regular season, hosting the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday, before preparing for their trip to New York at the end of the month to compete for the Cup.[2]