For the Las Vegas Aces, history had not been kind when it came to Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. Under head coach Becky Hammon, the team had never managed to pull off a win in this pivotal matchup — until last night.

With the championship stage set inside a packed Mortgage Matchup Center, the Aces broke their Game 3 curse in spectacular fashion, defeating the Phoenix Mercury 90–88. And the moment that sealed it? A near-impossible fadeaway jumper from A’ja Wilson with just 0.9 seconds left on the clock.

The shot — cold, confident, and precise — bounced once, hit the rim, and rolled in, sending the Aces bench into euphoria and the Mercury into disbelief. It wasn’t just another bucket. It was the kind of moment that defines careers.

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“Under Becky Hammon, we’ve never won a Game 3, so this was a must-win for us just for that sake,” Wilson said postgame. “I’m happy we finally won a Game 3… Look at us.”

Wilson’s stat line — 34 points and 14 rebounds — didn’t just tell the story of dominance; it showed a superstar in full command of her destiny.

A’ja Wilson — Ice in Her Veins

With less than a second remaining, the ball found Wilson at the top of the key. No drawn-up play. No elaborate screen. Just faith.

Coach Hammon later revealed her instructions were simple: “Get the ball to A’ja, and get out of the way.”

Wilson delivered — just as she has all season. The four-time MVP, known for her relentless drive and emotional leadership, reminded fans and critics alike why she’s the heartbeat of the Aces franchise.

As the shot fell, the crowd erupted. The Mercury players could only shake their heads, recognizing that they had just been beaten by greatness.

Jewell Loyd’s Hot Start — A Record-Breaking Flame

It wasn’t just Wilson making history on the night. Across the court, Jewell Loyd started the game with a first-quarter shooting spree that lit up the arena.

The Mercury star drained four 3-pointers in the opening frame — the most ever made in the first quarter of a WNBA Finals game. She came within one of tying the all-time record of five, a mark shared by Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Sami Whitcomb, Arike Ogunbowale, and Rhyne Howard.

Every time Loyd pulled up from deep, the rim looked wider. Her 3-point assault kept the Mercury alive early, but once the shots cooled, the Aces’ relentless pace and Wilson’s inside dominance took over.

Becky Hammon’s Game Plan Pays Off

Head coach Becky Hammon, who has spent years building a championship culture in Las Vegas, said the key was composure.

“We’ve been here before,” Hammon told reporters. “We didn’t panic. We trusted A’ja. That’s our DNA.”

It’s easy to see why. Under Hammon’s leadership, the Aces have evolved from a talented roster into a dynasty in the making — a team that blends grit, grace, and cold-blooded execution.

Their defensive rotations were sharp, their bench contributions timely, and their leader unstoppable.

The Mercury’s Missed Chance

For the Mercury, this one will sting. They had clawed back from a double-digit deficit, out-rebounded the Aces in the second half, and even took the lead with under a minute left — only for Wilson to snatch it back with a dagger.

The veteran core, led by Jewell Loyd and Brittney Griner, showed heart, but missed opportunities in crunch time proved costly.

Now down 0–3, the Mercury face elimination in Game 4 — a mountain no team has ever climbed in WNBA Finals history.

The Legacy Moment for A’ja Wilson

A’ja Wilson’s career has been one long highlight reel, but this shot — this singular, poetic bounce with 0.9 seconds on the clock — may become her defining moment.

Fans took to social media in droves, comparing her to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant for her killer instinct. Even former players like Sue Bird and Candace Parker praised the clutch performance.

“She’s built different,” Parker posted on X. “That’s greatness on display.”

For Wilson, though, it’s not about the highlight — it’s about the win. “We’ve worked too hard to let anything slip now,” she said. “The job’s not done.”

What Comes Next

The Aces now hold a commanding 3–0 series lead and can clinch their second consecutive WNBA title in Game 4. For Becky Hammon, it’s validation. For A’ja Wilson, it’s legacy. And for the Aces’ fans, it’s another chapter in a dynasty that shows no signs of slowing down.

If Game 3 was any indication, the Aces aren’t just trying to win — they’re trying to make history.