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.

The Las Vegas Aces are once again making waves in the WNBA Finals, but it’s not just the usual suspects driving the team’s success. While A’ja Wilson has garnered deserved praise for her MVP caliber season, it’s Jackie Young who has quietly been one of the most critical pieces powering the Aces’ bid for a second consecutive championship.

During Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, Young was far from her usual dynamic self. The guard, known for her scoring ability and playmaking, finished with just 10 points—a stark contrast to the 20.6 points she had been averaging throughout the postseason. Aces head coach Becky Hammon revealed after the game that Young was dealing with some fatigue after a grueling five-game semifinal series with the Indiana Fever, and in an uncharacteristic move, Young even asked for some rest during the contest.

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“We knew Jackie wasn’t quite herself,” Hammon said. “She needed a little bit of time to recover, but we were confident she’d bounce back.”

Bounce back she did. Game 2 saw a completely different Jackie Young. The 4-time All-Star erupted for 32 points and 8 rebounds, including a historic 21-point quarter, which set the record for the most points scored in a single quarter in WNBA Finals history. Young’s dominant performance helped the Aces to a dominant rout of the Phoenix Mercury, pushing the Aces to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

“I don’t know where Jackie [Young] was in Game 1, but I’m glad she showed up in Game 2,” said Aces teammate A’ja Wilson postgame. “This is what Jackie lives for. This is why she works so hard. To see her thrive and be so successful in this place, it really warms my heart. I’m grateful to be alongside her, and she’s doing exactly what she needs to do.”

The Quiet Catalyst: Jackie Young’s Crucial Role in the Aces’ Success

While A’ja Wilson’s MVP performance is the talk of the town, it’s important to remember that the Aces’ success is built on more than just one player. Jackie Young has quietly been there, delivering clutch performances when her team needed it the most.

It was Young who delivered the game-winning shot in the first round of the playoffs against the Seattle Storm, sending the Aces to the semifinals. Her ability to rise to the occasion in critical moments has been a constant throughout the postseason. In the semifinal series against the Indiana Fever, Young averaged 25 points, 7 assists, and 1 steal during the final three games, including a 32-point, 10-assist double-double to help the Aces secure their spot in the WNBA Finals.

Young’s all-around game, her scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, has made her the perfect complement to A’ja Wilson. While Wilson may be the engine that drives the Aces, Young is the fuel that allows the team to run at top speed.

Aces’ Balanced Attack: Young’s Growth and the Road Ahead

What makes Jackie Young’s contributions even more remarkable is how she has evolved as a player over the years. From being a high-energy guard with a ton of potential to becoming a multi-faceted star capable of taking over games, Young’s growth has been evident in her play.

Her scoring has become more efficient, her defense more disruptive, and her leadership, both on and off the court, has been invaluable to the Aces. As the Finals shift to Phoenix for Game 3, the Aces are poised to continue their championship chase. With Young’s recent performance, the Aces have shown they are more than just a two-player team — they are a well-oiled machine capable of making a deep run in the postseason.

As the series progresses, the Aces will need more of the same from Young — big-time performances in big-time moments. If she continues to deliver, the Aces’ chances of clinching another title look even stronger.

The Adelaide 36ers have officially terminated the contract of star import Montrezl Harrell, just days before the National Basketball League (NBL) season opener. The decision follows revelations that Harrell tested positive for a prohibited substance while playing in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) earlier this year.

The 30-year-old forward, known for his high-energy style during his NBA career, had been serving a provisional suspension imposed by anti-doping authorities. The test in question was conducted in April 2025 while Harrell was playing for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, with the positive result confirmed two months later.

The 36ers, who signed Harrell in September 2024 and re-signed him in May 2025, said they had “no choice” but to release him.

“As it stands, Harrell is not permitted to train or play,” the club said in a statement. “And with no timeline on when the process will be finalised and no certainty on any sanctions, the club has been left with no option but to terminate Harrell’s contract to allow it to finalise the playing roster.”

Harrell’s Rise and Fall

Montrezl Harrell was once one of the NBA’s most dynamic bench players, winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2020 while playing for the Los Angeles Clippers. Over the course of more than 500 NBA games, he suited up for franchises including the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets.

When his NBA opportunities diminished, Harrell turned to overseas basketball, eventually joining the Chinese league. The move to Adelaide was seen as a chance to revive his career and bring star power to the NBL. His signing generated headlines, and fans were excited to see his aggressive rebounding and inside scoring energize the 36ers.

But the doping scandal now casts a shadow over that comeback story.

Timing Leaves the 36ers Scrambling

The timing of Harrell’s positive test could not have been worse for the 36ers. With the season set to tip off against the Brisbane Bullets in just days, the club is left scrambling to find a replacement import.

Under NBL rules, clubs are permitted to carry multiple imports, but the market for experienced players this late in the preseason is limited. The 36ers will likely explore both domestic talent and overseas recruits in a bid to shore up their frontcourt before Sunday’s opener.

Head coach Scott Ninnis faces the challenge of reshaping the roster on short notice. Fans are understandably concerned about how losing a marquee name will affect Adelaide’s playoff hopes.

Confidentiality and WADA Oversight

The club stressed it could not provide detailed comments on the matter due to the confidentiality policies of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

That means crucial details—such as the substance involved or Harrell’s potential defense—remain unknown. The uncertainty over how long the suspension might last ultimately forced Adelaide’s hand. Without clarity, the risk of holding a roster spot for Harrell became untenable.

Impact on the NBL

For the NBL, the incident is a reminder of the complexities that come with recruiting high-profile imports. Harrell was expected to boost ticket sales and bring international attention to the league, particularly given his NBA pedigree. Instead, the headlines now focus on a doping scandal.

The NBL has worked hard to position itself as one of the strongest basketball leagues outside the NBA, attracting stars like LaMelo Ball in recent years. While Harrell’s exit is a setback, league officials will hope the focus quickly shifts back to on-court action once the season begins.

Harrell’s Future

For Harrell, the road back to professional basketball is unclear. If the doping case results in a lengthy suspension, his chances of returning to the NBL—or any major league—could be severely damaged.

However, players in the past have rehabilitated their careers after doping controversies, provided they comply with sanctions and rebuild trust with fans and clubs. At 30, Harrell still has time, but the reputational damage is undeniable.

Final Word

The termination of Montrezl Harrell’s contract is a blow not only to the Adelaide 36ers but also to the NBL’s growing reputation. It underscores the risks clubs face when signing imports with complex playing histories.

For Adelaide, the focus now shifts to finding a new star who can carry the team into the new season. For Harrell, the challenge will be clearing his name—or facing the reality that his professional basketball journey may have reached an abrupt and unwanted conclusion.

Stay tuned with Daily Global Diary for breaking updates on this developing story and more coverage from the world of sports.