PHOENIX (AP) — A'ja Wilson scored 34 points, Jewell Loyd added 25 off the bench, and the Las Vegas Aces closed the regular season with a 100-82 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night.
The defending champions head into the playoffs as the No. 3 seed and face No. 6 Indiana when the first round opens on Sunday.
The Mercury had cut a 31-point deficit to nine midway through the fourth quarter but two offensive fouls and a technical foul short-circuited the rally.
Stephanie Talbot added 14 points and Chelsea Gray 12 for the Aces (31-13), who shot 56% and had 28 assists, 11 from Jackie Young and 10 from Gray. Wilson has 13 games of 30 or more points this season, tying the league mark she set last year.
Kahleah Copper had 18 points for the Mercury (16-27), who lost to Las Vegas in the Finals last year. Shay Ciezki added 13 and Natasha Mack 12.
The season started with the Mercury winning the Finals rematch 99-66 but the Aces won the last three matchups by an average of 25 points.
Wilson made 8 of 11 shots and scored 17 points in the first quarter to help the Aces take a 32-18 lead. The Mercury missed their first five shots and had seven turnovers to fall behind 14-0. Phoenix had 10 turnovers that led to 12 points.
The Mercury pushed the lead to 31 in the second quarter and led 65-36 at the half. Wilson had 21 points and Loyd 17 on a combined 16-of-21 shooting.
Phoenix opened the third quarter with an 11-0 run but Wilson had back-to-back putbacks and the Mercury trailed 77-60 entering the fourth quarter.
Next game
Las Vegas: The Aces head into the playoffs as the No. 3 seed, and are home Sunday against Indiana.
-
NFL, NFLPA reviewing handling of Jalen Hurts' blood clot diagnosis
The NFL and NFL Players Association have announced they are working together to review the handling of Jalen Hurts' blood clot diagnosis.
Raiders drop fourth straight game in 35-21 loss to Rams
Matthew Stafford threw for 195 yards and three touchdowns to become the Rams' career leader in passing TDs as Los Angeles beat the Las Vegas Raiders 35-21 on Sunday.
Fantilli scores on OT power play as Blue Jackets edge Golden Knights 2-1
Adam Fantilli scored on a power play 59 seconds into overtime and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat Vegas 2-1 on Saturday night, sending the Golden Knights to their third straight loss.
UNLV golf coach enters Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame amid historic start
UNLV women’s golf coach Amy Bush-Herzer reflects on her Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame induction, her team’s historic start and the relationships behind her career.
