Las Vegas Aces @ Phoenix Mercury
Wilson scores 30 points, Aces defeat Mercury 94-73; Sutton has Phoenix's first triple-double
PHOENIX -- — A'ja Wilson scored 30 points, Chelsea Gray had 14 points and 12 assists and the first-place Las Vegas Aces coasted to a 94-73 win over the last-place Phoenix Mercury on Friday night.
Sug Sutton had the first triple-double in Mercury history, with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
The Aces (33-6) took a one-game lead over New York into the regular-season finale on Sunday, when they play the Mercury (9-30) at home. The Liberty close with Washington.
In an otherwise dismal season for the Mercury, Sutton added to the highlight of 20-year veteran Diana Taurasi reaching the 10,000-point plateau. Sutton is the first player drafted after the first round to record a triple-double. The third-round pick, 36th overall, by the Mystics in 2020 played 12 games that season.
Kelsey Plum added 18 points and Jackie Young 17 points for the Aces, who shot 54%. Las Vegas set a WNBA record with its 14th win of at least 20 points, surpassing Connecticut's 13 20-point wins in 2019.
Megan Gustafson scored 14 points, Moriah Jefferson had 11 points and Brittney Griner, on her bobblehead night, had 10 points but the Mercury shot just 35%.
Las Vegas had a 17-2 run in the second quarter to pull away from the short-handed Mercury, who were tied at 20-20 after one quarter. The Aces' firepower made it 48-31 at the half.
Phoenix was missing guards Taurasi (toe), Sophie Cunningham (jaw) and Shey Peddy (concussion).
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Regular Season Series
LV wins 4-0
Game Information
- Referees:
- Michael Price
- Gina Cross
- Randy Richardson
2024-25 Western Conference Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 34 | 10 | .773 | - | W1 |
| Las Vegas | 30 | 14 | .682 | 4 | W16 |
| Phoenix | 27 | 17 | .614 | 7 | L3 |
| Seattle | 23 | 21 | .523 | 11 | W1 |
| Golden State | 23 | 21 | .523 | 11 | L3 |
| Los Angeles | 21 | 23 | .477 | 13 | L1 |
| Dallas | 10 | 34 | .227 | 24 | W1 |

