PHOENIX – It was a one-sided matchup for most of the night as it looked like the Las Vegas Aces were on their way to rolling past the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. Though just when it looked over, Phoenix flipped the script and scrapped and clawed their way all the way back from down 17 to tie the game with a little over a minute remaining.
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Oct 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) dribbles the ball against the Las Vegas Aces in the first half during game three of the 2025 WNBA Finals at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Mercury came out aggressively as Alyssa Thomas was eager to drive the lane, and Satou Sabally got her momentum going early. Although Phoenix hit a wall, the offense stalled out. Missed layups, errant turnovers, and defensive assignments breaking down led to open opportunities for the Aces. Las Vegas went on a huge run early, though the Mercury were able to grind out some major possessions and edge their way back in it. The frustrations built up in the second quarter with fouls though, and Las Vegas did not miss a beat offensively. A’ja Wilson was driving with ease, and Jewell Loyd wasn’t missing early on. The Aces ended up leading at halftime by a score of 55-43.
Absolutely nothing looks easy for the Phoenix Mercury on the offensive end. #WNBA
— Dorian Waller (@dorianwaller02) October 9, 2025
Not even 5 mins in and the Phoenix Mercury have already lost their momentum at home 🫢😂
— Yung DLo (@DLoThaReal) October 9, 2025
Phoenix Mercury needs bona-fide shooters. Not the wild shots tonight.
— Charisse Rogers (@Readywriter1) October 9, 2025
If the mercury wanna win this game Copper is gonna have to actually start trying. Phoenix can’t win with only 2/3 of their all stars putting in effort.
— Arianna 💕 (@_xoxo_arianna) October 9, 2025
The fourth quarter was full of drama as the Mercury came roaring back, and the Phoenix fans had seen this movie before and were hoping for the right ending. As the comeback was alive and well, the Mercury were able to tie the game up at 88 with a minute left on the clock after a pair of DeWanna Bonner free throws. Although the Aces got the last laugh when A’ja Wilson was able to hit the game-winning mid-range shot. With only 0.3 seconds left on the clock, the Mercury were able to inbound the ball to Bonner, although her last-second layup was unable to fall as the Mercury dropped game 3 in heartbreaking fashion.
I was going to write all game that the Aces are a uniquely bad matchup
for our Mercury because
they kill teams on defense with relentless ball pressure similar to OKC
but Vegas plays inside-out
where everything goes through A’ja Wilson,
not the guards on the outside 🏀💜— Preston Thymes (@PrestonThymesAZ) October 9, 2025
Phoenix Mercury turned that into a game!!!!! From down 17 to tie it up and it all coming down to the last 0.3 seconds?!?!?!
— BwanaManifest (@BwanaManifest) October 9, 2025
Mercury fought all the way back in that fourth quarter, but A’ja Wilson is A’ja Wilson. Just another Hall of Fame game from her. No stopping her tonight.
Phoenix needed to play better the first three quarters. Always felt Las Vegas would win it on the last possession.
— Sam Ficarro (@SamFicarro) October 9, 2025
If I was the Phoenix Mercury HC I would had put in Kalani Brown or Natasha Mack to guard A’ja Wilson https://t.co/7n0fii70Fg
— 𝒱𝑜𝓃 🏀 (@LightbrightVon) October 9, 2025
Oct 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots the ball against Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) in the first half during game three of the 2025 WNBA Finals at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Mercury now sit in a deep hole as they are down 3-0 in the first-ever best-of-seven WNBA Finals, and will surely need a miracle to bring home the franchise’s fourth title back to the desert.
Game 3 of the WNBA Finals between the Phoenix and Las Vegas Aces was held at the Mortgage Matchup Arena on Oct. 8, 2025. © Maritza Dominguez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Arizona Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
