Las Vegas Aces ran out emphatic 106-58 winners over the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday, July 11, securing the result with a relentless four-quarter display led by A’ja Wilson’s 21 points and 15 rebounds. The decisive stretch came early, when Las Vegas opened a 20-point first-quarter advantage and never allowed Phoenix back into the contest.
This fixture was effectively shaped in the opening period. The Aces moved the ball sharply, controlled the glass and punished Phoenix from beyond the arc, racing to a 29-9 lead after one quarter. That first spell set the tactical tone: quick ball movement from Chelsea Gray, efficient interior finishing from Wilson, and enough perimeter shooting to keep the Mercury defense under constant pressure.
Las Vegas did not ease off in the second quarter, adding another 28 points to take a commanding 57-22 lead into halftime. With 31 assists on 39 made baskets by the final buzzer, the Aces consistently found the extra pass and turned half-court possessions into high-quality looks. Phoenix, by contrast, struggled to generate rhythm, shooting 34.8 percent from the floor and 22.6 percent from three-point range.
The third quarter brought more of the same. Las Vegas won that frame 22-14, continuing to dictate tempo and control second-chance opportunities with a 47-29 rebounding edge. Wilson remained the central figure, while Gray’s 12 assists ensured the Mercury were being pulled out of shape on nearly every defensive sequence. By the time the fourth quarter arrived, the result was long since settled, and the Aces closed professionally with a 27-point final period to push the margin out to 48.
Phoenix’s brightest individual contribution came from Monique Akoa Makani, who led the Mercury with 13 points, while Lexi Held added 11 and Valeriane Ayayi collected seven rebounds. But the Mercury never found the sustained shot-making or defensive resistance needed to turn this into a competitive contest. Las Vegas hit 14 three-pointers at 40.0 percent and converted 50.6 percent overall, a reflection of both shot quality and control.
Key performers
Wilson was the standout on both ends, finishing with 21 points and 15 rebounds in a complete all-around display. Gray orchestrated the fixture superbly with 12 assists, and the Aces’ collective execution was every bit as important as the headline numbers. For Phoenix, Akoa Makani’s 13 points offered a rare bright note on a difficult night.
NerdSports Stat: Las Vegas assisted on 79.5 percent of its made baskets, a superb figure that underlined just how fluid the Aces were in the half-court.
The result lifts the Aces to 17-6 and strengthens their position near the top of the Women’s National Basketball Association standings, while the Mercury fall to 8-16 and will need a quick response in their next fixture. For Las Vegas, this was the sort of polished, one-sided home performance that can build momentum as the table begins to take shape deeper into the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
No goal scorers were listed for this Women’s National Basketball Association fixture. A’ja Wilson led Las Vegas with 21 points, while Monique Akoa Makani had 13 for Phoenix.
Las Vegas Aces 106 – 58 Phoenix Mercury.
Las Vegas improved to 17-6 and strengthened its position near the top of the standings, while Phoenix dropped to 8-16 and remains under pressure lower down the table.
A’ja Wilson was the standout performer with 21 points and 15 rebounds.
