A’ja Wilson Did Something No WNBA Player Has Ever Done — and Punched a Cup Final Ticket

On a night when the Las Vegas Aces needed a statement, A’ja Wilson delivered one for the history books. The two-time MVP put up 33 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 blocks in a 86-76 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, becoming the first player in WNBA history to hit those exact numbers in a single game.

The win wasn’t just about individual brilliance — it locked up a spot in the Commissioner’s Cup championship game for Las Vegas, which improved to 11-4 after bouncing back from a 30-point blowout loss to Dallas on Sunday. That defeat ended a six-game winning streak and left the Aces needing a response. They got one.

Wilson was the engine, but the Aces got serious contributions across the board. NaLyssa Smith dropped 21 points, and Jackie Young added 20 points and 9 assists, plus a career-best five steals. Las Vegas finished with 18 steals as a team, tying the league’s season high. That defensive chaos flipped a game that looked like it could slip away early.

Mercury’s fast start wasn’t enough

Phoenix came out hot, shooting 60% from the field and 7-of-10 from three in the first half to build a 49-45 lead at the break. Kahleah Copper led all scorers with 26 points, and Alyssa Thomas stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points and 11 assists. But the Mercury went cold in the second half, and their 4-11 record now includes a four-game losing skid.

The game also served as a rematch of the 2025 WNBA Finals. Phoenix won the season opener 99-66 back in May, but this time Las Vegas was without guard Chennedy Carter, who missed her second straight game due to illness. The Aces haven’t confirmed when she’ll return.

Commissioner’s Cup final set

With the win, the Aces locked up the Commissioner’s Cup final berth after going 6-1 in Cup play and holding the tiebreaker over Minnesota (also 6-1) following a 100-97 win over the Lynx earlier this season. They’ll face the New York Liberty on June 30 at Barclays Center, with a $500,000 prize pool on the line. The Liberty advanced after an 86-64 win over Washington and finished Cup play a perfect 6-0. It’s the third time New York has reached the final.

The matchup brings together the two teams that have combined to win the last four WNBA championships — a fitting stage for a game with real stakes. For the Aces, getting Wilson this dialed in at the right moment might be the difference between leaving Brooklyn with a check and leaving with questions.