A’ja Wilson credits Phoenix Mercury for exposing Las Vegas Aces’ defensive struggles

Just minutes before tipoff, the Las Vegas Aces celebrated their WNBA championship ring ceremony after sweeping Phoenix in the Finals a season ago. By the opening quarter, the Mercury had turned that ceremony into motivation.

Phoenix overwhelmed Las Vegas and never let up, cruising to a dominant 99-66 victory to open the 2026 season at 1-0. For a team trying to establish itself as a title contender again, the performance offered an early statement about both its talent and mentality — something Aces star A’ja Wilson acknowledged afterward.

“They are threats on all three levels when it comes to any position, honestly,” Wilson said postgame. “You can’t already know what plays they’re going to run because it could be anybody.”

“They shot the crap out of the ball.”

Aces’ A’ja Wilson speaks on what stood out to her the most about the Mercury in Saturday’s game. Phoenix took a 99-66 win over Las Vegas.
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The Mercury dictated the pace immediately, attacking in transition, sharing the ball and burying open perimeter shots while frustrating the Aces defensively. Phoenix looked sharper, quicker and more connected from the opening possessions, with every starter finishing in double figures.

Alyssa Thomas led the Mercury with 20 points and continued to serve as the team’s primary playmaker. Jovana Nogic delivered one of the best WNBA debuts of the young season — scoring 19 first-half points — while Natasha Mack recorded the second double-double of her career with 15 rebounds and 10 points.

May 9, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (24) celebrates hitting a 3-pointer against the Las Vegas Aces in the third quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

“They shot the crap out of the ball,” Wilson said. “Defensively, I feel like the league is too good — particularly Phoenix is too good — if they’re getting wide-open looks and we allow them to get wide-open looks because our defense is poor.”

The win didn’t erase the pain of last season’s Finals loss, but it did send a message. Preseason predictions once again placed Phoenix outside the league’s top tier despite only being four wins away from clinching its fourth championship last year. The Mercury showed the kind of offensive versatility and defensive intensity that could make them difficult to handle over the course of the season.

May 9, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) waits for a foul shot by the Phoenix Mercury in the first quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

The performance also showcased Phoenix’s depth, especially with the Mercury still without three key players to begin the season. If a multiple-time MVP and WNBA champion like Wilson can recognize the challenges Phoenix presents, the Mercury may already be forcing their way back into the title conversation.

For a franchise still carrying the memory of last season’s Finals sweep, the Mercury opened 2026 looking less like a team chasing contention and more like one ready to return to it.