Finals Top Plays

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Top Plays of the Day, 10/8/25

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Satou Sabally with 24 Points vs. Las Vegas Aces

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Top Plays of the Day, 10/08/2025

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Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces - Game Highlights

AP Recap

PHOENIX (AP) — A’ja Wilson made a turnaround jumper with 0.3 seconds left, capping a stellar 34-point night and lifting the Las Vegas Aces over the Phoenix Mercury 90-88 on Wednesday night for a 3-0 lead in the WNBA Finals.
The Aces are one victory away from winning their third title in four seasons. Game 4 is Friday in Phoenix.
Las Vegas had what looked like a comfortable 76-59 lead entering the fourth quarter, but the Mercury closed the gap to 84-83 with 3:06 left on Kahleah Copper’s 3-pointer. DeWanna Bonner tied the game at 86-all on a 3-pointer with 1:33 left and made two free throws with 1:01 left to tie it at 88.
That set up Wilson’s heroics in the final seconds. The four-time MVP made her turnaround jumper over Alyssa Thomas and Bonner as the Mercury’s home crowd groaned.
“I just needed the bucket to go in,” Wilson said. “I didn’t see who was in front of me. I didn’t care. It’s the finals.”
Phoenix had one final try to get a bucket, but Bonner’s quick jumper was no good.
The 6-foot-4 Wilson continued her dominant postseason run, making 11 of 20 shots from the field add adding four assists. She is averaging more than 26 points in 11 postseason games. Jackie Young added 21 points.
Wilson’s 291 total points over 11 games is a WNBA postseason record.
The Aces took a 2-0 lead by winning the first two games in Las Vegas, but the Mercury hoped for a boost from their boisterous home crowd in Game 3. Instead, Las Vegas thrived in the hostile atmosphere, showing the poise of a veteran team that’s been in high-pressure situations many times.
Bonner led the Mercury with 25 points while Satou Sabally had 24. Copper scored 11 of her 17 points in the fourth quarter. Thomas was one assist short of a triple-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Sabally left the game with 4:26 left in the fourth quarter when she got tangled with Young and then fell into Kierstan Bell, hitting her head on the side of her leg. Sabally stayed on the ground for several minutes before being helped off the court.
Las Vegas used a 17-0 run midway through the first quarter to take an early 21-8 lead and never trailed again. Jewell Loyd came off the bench and made four 3-pointers in less than two minutes to lead the offensive onslaught.
Phoenix responded with its own 13-0 run to tie the game, but could never regain the advantage. The Mercury trailed 26-23 heading into the second quarter.
The Aces pulled away late in the second quarter to take a 55-43 lead into halftime. Las Vegas shot 9 of 16 (56.3%) from 3-point range, including a combined six from bench players Loyd and Dana Evans.
Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said his team’s defense needed to improve after it gave up 89 points in Game 1 and 91 in Game 2, but things weren’t any better on Wednesday. The Aces used their early 3-point barrage to turn the game into another high-scoring shootout.

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Game Recap: Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury (Finals, Game 3)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jackie Young set a WNBA Finals record with 21 points in the third quarter, finishing with 32 to carry the Las Vegas Aces to a 91-78 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday for a 2-0 lead.
Game 3 is Wednesday in Phoenix, where the Aces hope to put a stranglehold on the series as they chase their third title in four years. The Mercury have the tall task of needing to win four of five games to capture their fourth championship, which would tie the WNBA record.
Young, who tied a career playoff high in total points, fell just short of the league record of 22 points for any postseason quarter. Three players have accomplished that, most recently in 2021 when Young’s teammate, Jewell Loyd, hit that number for Seattle against the Mercury.
A’ja Wilson scored 20 of her 28 points in the first half and had 14 rebounds. Chelsea Gray finished with 10 points and 10 assists.
Kahleah Copper led the Mercury with 23 points, Satou Sabally scored 22 and Alyssa Thomas had 10 while coping with foul trouble much of the game.
Like in Game 1 when they began with a 10-2 lead, the Mercury came out strong, scoring the first seven points. Phoenix wound up with 27 points in the first quarter, but then the Aces held the Mercury to a combined 24 points over the following two periods.
By that point, the Aces had taken charge, leading 76-51 going into the fourth and eventually going up by as much as 22 points.
Any team facing Aces coach Becky Hammon in a Game 2 in Las Vegas is asking for trouble. She ran her record to 9-0 with this victory, the average margin being more than 17 points.

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Game Recap: Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces (Finals, Game 2)

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Satou Sabally with 22 Points vs. Las Vegas Aces

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Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury - Game Highlights

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A’ja Wilson and Dana Evans each scored 21 points, and the Las Vegas Aces beat the Phoenix Mercury 89-86 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday night.
Wilson scored 12 of her points over the final 14 minutes, and Phoenix’s Satou Sabally missed a long 3-pointer with 2 seconds left that would have tied it.
Game 2 is Sunday in Las Vegas.
Evans led an Aces bench that outscored the Mercury’s reserves 41-16. Reserve Jewell Loyd scored 18 points for second-seeded Las Vegas, and starter Jackie Young had 10. Wilson had 10 rebounds, and Chelsea Gray had 10 assists.
Kahleah Cooper scored 21 points for the fourth-seeded Mercury. Sabally added 19 points and Alyssa Thomas had 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
Copper scored 19 points in the first half, one off her playoff career high for a half. Her personal best also came against the Mercury, when she scored 20 points for Chicago in the first half of Game 3 of the 2021 Finals. Copper’s five 3-pointers in the first half topped her previous high of four for a game.
If this game was any indication, these Finals — a best-of-seven series for the first time — figure to be tight throughout. The largest lead was nine points, and there were 12 lead changes and nine ties.
The Mercury threatened to take control several times, only for the Aces to respond with a run. In the end, it was Las Vegas that nearly pulled away, only for Phoenix to keep it close.
With Phoenix down a point with 24.6 seconds left, Thomas went to the free-throw line but missed both. Young was fouled on the other end with 13.5 seconds remaining and made both free throws for the final margin.
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Game Recap: Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces (Finals, Game 1)

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Satou Sabally with 19 Points vs. Las Vegas Aces

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Satou Sabally

NOTABLE: In 2024 (missed 25 games due to injury), joined Caitlin Clark as only players in league to average 15.0+ pts, 5.0+ reb and 5.0+ ast &#8230; Shot a career-high 45.2% from deep in 2024 &#8230; The 2023 All- WNBA First Team &amp; Most Improved Player joins Tamika Catchings as only players in WNBA history to average more than 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists through the first 90 games of their career. WNBA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS • Entering sixth season, has appeared in 97 games (87 starts) with Dallas, with career averages of 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assits and 1.1 steals. • Joins Tamika Catchings as the only players in WNBA history to average more than 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists through the first 90 games of their career. • Joins Candace Parker (2015) as the only players in WNBA history to average more than 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists for a season (did so in 2023). • One of 18 players in WNBA history to record a triple-double in their career. • Only player in WNBA history to score 40+ points in under 30 minutes (28:32 on Sept. 1, 2023 at IND). • Only player in WNBA history to record 25+ points, 8+ rebounds, 5+ steals, 4+ assists and 3+ 3PM in a game. WNBA CAREER PLAYOFF HIGHLIGHTS • Has appeared in three postseasons, averaging 12.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks in 9 games (5 starts). • One of two players (Natasha Cloud) in WNBA history to record 30+ points, 5+ rebounds, 4+ assists and 4+ steals (did so in 2023 vs. ATL). WNBA AWARDS/HONORS • All-WNBA First Team (2023) • 2x All-Star (2021, 2023) • Most Improved Player (2023) • 1x Western Conference Player of the Week (2023) • All-Rookie Team (2020) • Community Assist Award (May 2023) WNBA CAREER TRANSACTIONS • Signed-and-traded by Dallas to Phoenix on Feb. 2, 2025 in a four-team deal, with Kalani Brown and Sevgi Uzun, in exhcange for the rights to Kiki Herbert Harrigan and Phx&#8217;s 2025 No. 12 pick (to DAL), Rebecca Allen and Natasha Cloud (to CON) and Sophie Cunningham and PHX&#8217;s 2025 No. 19 pick (to IND) • Cored by Dallas on Jan. 13, 2025 • Signed one-year deal with Dallas on Feb. 1, 2024 • Contract suspended by Dallas (temporary &#8211; overseas commitment) on May 5, 2022 &#8230; Activated May 17, 2022 • Fourth-year team option exercised by Dallas on Dec. 2, 2021 • Contract suspended by Dallas (temporary &#8211; overseas commitment) on May 10, 2021 &#8230; Activated June 2, 2021
WNBA SEASON-BY-SEASON: 2024 WNBA SEASON (Dallas Wings) • Appeared in 15 regular season games (all starts) &#8211; Missed first 25 games due to shoulder injury suffered in February 2021. • Averaged 17.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, a career-high 5.0 assists and 1.3 steals. • Joined Caitlin Clark as the only players in the league to average 15.0+ points, 5.0+ rebounds and 5.0+ assists in the 2024 season. • Eighth in league in 3PM per game (2.5). • Shot a career-high 45.2% from deep, which ranked second in league amongst players with 75+ 3PA, behind only Stefanie Dolson. • Averaged 20.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.8 steals while shooting 53.6% from deep over her first five games, becoming the first player in WNBA history to average those numbers or better over a five-game span. • In season debut on Aug. 16 vs. CON, recorded 20 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists. 2023 WNBA SEASON (Dallas Wings) &#8211; All-WNBA First Team, Most Improved Player, All-Star Starter, 1x WC Player of the Week • Appeared in 38 regular season games (all starts). • Averaged a career-high 18.6 points (ninth in league), 8.1 rebounds (10th in league) and 1.8 steals (fourth in league) along with 4.4 assists. • Joined Candace Parker (2015) as the only players in WNBA history to average more than 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists for a season. • 2023 averages improved from 11.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.5 steals in 2022, as she became the first player in WNBA history to increase scoring average by 5.0+, rebound average by 3.0+, and assist average by 2.0 from the prior season (min. 200 minutes played in prior season). • Fourth in league in OREB per game (2.3) and fifth in double-doubles (14). • Had five games with 15+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists (third in the league behind Alyssa Thomas and Breanna Stewart). • Set a new Wings record for most consecutive double-doubles (seven from May 30-June 14), tied for fifth longest streak in WNBA history (longest was 10). • Tied Sylvia Fowles (2014) as the only players in WNBA history with consecutive games (May 30-June 11) with 15+ points, 10+ rebounds and 1+ steal. • Recorded a career-high 40 points (13-of-19 FG / 7-of-10 3PT) on Sept. 1 at IND, becoming the first player in WNBA history to score 40+ points in less than 30 minutes (did so in 28:32) &#8230; became fifth player in WNBA history (DeWanna Bonner, Liz Cambage &#8211; 2x, Lisa Leslie, A&#8217;ja Wilson) to score 40+ points while shooting 68.0%+ FG and 70.0%+ 3PT. • Became first player in WNBA history to record 25+ points, 8+ rebounds, 5+ steals, 4+ assists and 3+ 3PM on Aug. 23 vs. CON. • Recorded her first career triple-double on July 28 vs. WAS (14 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists), becoming just the second player in franchise history to notch a triple-double (Deanna Nolan in 2005). PLAYOFFS &#8211; (DAL lost in Semi-Finals to LV) • Averaged 15.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.4 steals (all playoff career-highs) in 5 games (all starts). • In first round G1 win vs. ATL on Sept. 15, became first player in WNBA postseason history to record 30+ points (scored 32), 5+ rebounds, 4+ assists and 4+ steals. 2022 WNBA SEASON (Dallas Wings) • Appeared in 11 regular season games (6 starts) &#8211; Missed 25 games due to injury. • Averaged 11.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. • Recored two double-doubles. PLAYOFFS &#8211; (DAL lost in First Round to CON) • Averaged 7.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 3 games.
2021 WNBA SEASON (Dallas Wings) &#8211; All-Star • Appeared in 17 regular season games (14 starts) &#8211; Missed 15 games due to injury. • Averaged 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.8 blocks. • Tied for first on team in rebounds per game, tied for third in points per game, and third in assists and blocks per game. • Scored a season-high 24 points at LV on June 13. PLAYOFFS &#8211; (DAL lost in First Round to CHI) • Recorded 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block in single-elim. loss at CHI on Sept. 23. 2020 WNBA SEASON (Dallas Wings) &#8211; All-Rookie Team • Appeared in 16 regular season games (14 starts). • Averaged 13.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals and a career-high 0.9 blocks. • Became just the fourth rookie in WNBA history to average at least 13.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists, joining Tamika Catchings, Candace Parker and Breanna Stewart. • Led all rookies in double-doubles (5), rebounds and blocks per game / ranked third in scoring and sixth in steals per game. • Led Wings in rebounds per game, OREB (2.6) per game and DREB (5.2) per game. • Recorded first career double-double (23 points and 17 rebounds) vs. IND on July 31 &#8230; marked the 21st first game of 20+ points and 15+ rebounds by a WNBA rookie (the first by a rookie in franchise history and just the fourth overall in franchise history, joining Liz Cambage, Cheryl Ford and Glory Johnson). • Tallied a season-high 28 points along with 11 rebounds and 3 blocks off the bench vs. LVA on Aug. 25, becoming the first reserve in WNBA history to record 28+ points, 10+ rebounds and 3+ blocks. SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CAREER (GER) • Olympian (2024) &#8211; led Germany to quarterfinals its first ever Olympic Games (Women&#8217;s Basketball). • All-FIBA Olympics Games Second Team (2024) UNRIVALED CAREER • 2025: Phantom BC &#8211; Regular Season per game Rankings: 8th in 3PM (1.8), 5th in 3PT% (38.5)-min. 20 3PA, 10th in REB (5.5)
OVERSEAS CAREER • 2023-24: Shandong SL (China) • 2021-22: Fenerbahçe SK (Turkey) • 2015-17: Freiburg (Germany) OVERSEAS AWARDS/TITLES • EuroLeague Champion (2023) • 3x KBSL Champion (2021-23) • All-EuroLeague European Player of the Year (2022) • All-EuroLeauge First Team (2022) • KBSL First Team (2022) • KBSL All-Imports Team (2022) • All-EuroLeauge Second Team (2021) • KBSL Second Team (2021) • KBSL All-Bosmans Team (2021) COLLEGE &#8211; OREGON (2017-20) • Appeared in 105 games (96 starts) in three seasons, averaging 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists for her career. • Pac-12 Tournament Champion (2020) • 3x Pac-12 Regular Season Champion (2018, 2019, 2020) • 2x All-Pac-12 (2019, 2020) • Cheryl Miller Award Winner (2020) &#8211; nation&#8217;s top small forward • WBCA First-Team All-America (2020) • AP Second Team All-America (2020) • Wooden Award National Ballot (2020) • 2x Naismith Trophy Watch List and 2x Trophy Watch List (2019, 2020)
• WBCA Honorable Mention All-America (2019) • Cheryl Miller Award Finalist (2019) • Pac-12 Frehman of the Year / All-Freshman Team (2018) • Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll (2020) • Finished career seventh on Ducks&#8217; all-time scoring list (1,508 points) and ninth in 3PM (180). PERSONAL • Born in New York City. • Daughter of Jerreh Sabally and Heike Krone, • Her father is Gambian and mother is German &#8230; moved to Gambia when she was two and moved to Berlin, Germany when she was seven. • Has six siblings, including younger sister, Nyara, who plays for the New York Liberty and played with her at the University of Oregon. • Selected as co-chair of the WNBPA’s CBA committee in August 2024 after serving two consectuive terms on the WNBPA&#8217;s Executive Committee as Vice President. • Majored in Social Sciences and Law in college and is a vocal advocate for social justice and gender equality in sports. • Nicknamed the &#8216;Unicorn&#8217; for her rare versatility and skill. • A member of the Adidas Women&#8217;s Basketball roster alongside teammate Kahleah Copper.