A'ja Wilson scores 33 points and Aces grab 18 steals in 86-76 win over Mercury

PHOENIX (AP) — A’ja Wilson had 33 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday night, and the Las Vegas Aces beat the Phoenix Mercury 86-76 in a rematch of the 2025 WNBA Finals to clinch a spot in the Commissioner's Cup championship.

>The Aces (11-4), who lost 96-66 at Dallas on Monday to snap their six-game winning streak, play June 30 at New York for the Commissioner's Cup title.

>NaLyssa Smith scored 21 points and Jackie Young added 20 points and nine assists for Las Vegas, the defending WNBA champion.

>Young had a career-high five steals and Wilson added four as the Aces finished with 18 — tied with Toronto for the most in a WNBA game this season.

>Kahleah Copper scored 26 points and Alyssa Thomas had 11 assists to go with 10 points for the Mercury (4-11).

>Phoenix has lost four in a row.

>The Mercury shot 60% (18 of 30) from the field, including 7 of 10 from 3-point range, in the first half and led 49-45 at the break.

>Las Vegas’ Chennedy Carter (illness) was not with the team for the second consecutive game.

>Phoenix beat the Aces 99-66 in the season opener.

Up next Aces: Host Golden State on Sunday.

>Mercury: Host Seattle on Sunday.

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>AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/WNBA-basketball