​With two competitive games on the docket this weekend, the Las Vegas Aces were eager to start strong and build momentum ahead of a revenge matchup against the Indiana Fever on Sunday. They delivered in emphatic fashion against the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday, powering to a 106-58 victory that highlighted contributions across the lineup and set the tone for the upcoming clash.
The win also etched a new franchise record for the Aces, marking the largest margin of victory with a 48-point differential. “It’s obviously a good momentum game, but it’s a whole new 40-minute game,” Aces head coach Becky Hammon said. “We have to start over, put in the work all over again. We must stay locked in defensively from the jump, especially against Indiana. They’re a problem offensively, so we’ll have to be excellent on that end right from the start tomorrow.”
The first half may have represented the Aces’ most commanding stretch of the season, beginning a back-to-back weekend on a high note. By halftime, Las Vegas had built a 34-point lead, and the Mercury were struggling on all fronts. Phoenix managed just nine points in the first quarter and shot a mere 26.5 percent by halftime. The Aces also dominated in assists, holding a 16-5 edge, and nearly doubled Phoenix in rebounds, 25-13, helping to push the margin to unassailable levels midway through the game.
Hammon attributed the shut-down defense to the team’s disruptive approach and physicality. “Just disruption. Physicality. You try to do your part,” she said. “They missed some shots, obviously, but I want to give credit to our defense. We had a hand in helping them miss.”
As usual, the Aces drew strength from their star-laden lineup. A’ja Wilson continued her regular run of dominance, posting a double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds by halftime and finishing the night with those same totals. In the third quarter, Chelsea Gray joined the party with a double-double of her own, pouring in 15 points and dishing 11 assists. Wilson and Gray, along with NaLyssa Smith and Jackie Young, sat out the fourth quarter with the outcome well in hand, yet their early contributions helped the Aces surge to an early lead and never relinquish it.
“She’s our general. She’s the Point Gawd. She does what she does,” Wilson said of her longtime teammate Gray. “Becky said we were at 30 assists on 39 made shots. That’s huge for us, not just because we have the talent, but because the ball is popping. The ball is moving, and that’s when you see our best basketball.”
The game also shone a spotlight on Justine Pissott, a second-round rookie who had been filling in for Chennedy Carter. After Saturday, the narrative around Pissott shifted markedly, as she showed she could contribute meaningfully at the pro level when given an opportunity.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s rematch with Indiana, the Aces’ performance in Las Vegas served as a reminder of their depth and versatility. The defense that stifled Phoenix, combined with a balanced offensive attack and efficient ball movement, provided a strong foundation for what could be another important win in a difficult back-to-back slate. If Las Vegas can translate the same intensity and execution into the game against the Fever, they’ll be poised to extend their momentum and continue their pursuit of postseason positioning.