PHOENIX — PHOENIX (AP) \u2014 A’ja Wilson put in work in the paint, getting bucket after bucket despite multiple defenders draped all over her.<\/p>\n
She got plenty of help from Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans. The trio started raining 3s early in the second quarter.<\/p>\n
The Las Vegas Aces \u2014 once again \u2014 were an offensive force in the WNBA Finals, and they were well on their way to their third championship in four seasons<\/a>. They finished off a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Mercury with a 97-86 victory on Friday night.<\/p>\n \u201cThese guys are elite,\u201d Aces coach Becky Hammon said.<\/p>\n Wilson had 31 points and nine rebounds while Gray and Jackie Young each scored 18 points. Five players scored in double figures.<\/p>\n The Aces made quick work of the league’s first best-of-seven finals. They scored 54 points in the first half and averaged more than 90 points per game in the series.<\/p>\n Wilson came to the postgame news conference wearing giant ski goggles from a Champagne celebration in the locker room and carrying a pink tambourine, shaking it after answers she liked.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a symbol of the joyfulness we have right now,\u201d Wilson said, grinning. \u201cI’m just so grateful to be with this bunch \u2014 and that’s not the alcohol talking.\u201d<\/p>\n Wilson \u2014 honored as the Finals MVP \u2014 led the way for the Aces despite a poor shooting night. The four-time regular-season MVP finished 7 of 21 from the field but made 17 of 19 free throws. Gray made four 3-pointers, including two in the fourth quarter to help turn back a final rally by the Mercury.<\/p>\n The Aces were presented the championship trophy by embattled WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert<\/a>, who was greeted with boos from the sizable contingent of Las Vegas fans who made the trip to Phoenix.<\/p>\n The Aces led 76-62 going into the fourth quarter, but the Mercury went on an 8-0 run that cut the deficit to 76-70 with 7:56 left. That was as close as they would get.<\/p>\n Kahleah Copper led the Mercury with 30 points, shooting 12 of 22 from the field. Alyssa Thomas had 17 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.<\/p>\n Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts was ejected in the third quarter<\/a> after receiving two quick technical fouls from official Gina Cross. Tibbetts was arguing a foul call against Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani, and he reacted in disbelief as he was escorted off the court.<\/p>\n DeWanna Bonner and Copper also got called for technical fouls in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n The Aces never trailed in the series clincher, building a 30-21 lead by the end of the first quarter on 55% shooting. Loyd, Gray and Evans made three straight 3s early in the second quarter to put Las Vegas ahead by 19.<\/p>\n Las Vegas settled for a 54-38 halftime advantage. Wilson had 14 points before the break while Gray added 10.<\/p>\n Tibbetts said the Aces were a tough team to guard all series.<\/p>\n \u201cUnbelievable team \u2014 they were just playing at an extremely high level,\u201d Tibbetts said. \u201cWe put ourselves in position to have a chance in a couple games, but what a run they\u2019ve been on. Hitting big shots after big shots.\u201d<\/p>\n