Las Vegas Aces punch Finals ticket for third time in four years

The GIST: As if that wasn’t enough WNBA news for one day, the Finals matchup is officially set. The Phoenix Mercury will face the Las Vegas Aces in the best-of-seven championship series after last night’s 107–98 overtime (OT) win over the Indiana Fever. Here’s how it all went down.

🃏 Las Vegas Finals-bound for third time in four years: We’ve seen this film before as four-time MVP A’ja Wilson led the Aces in points (35), rebounds (eight), blocks (four), and steals (four) in the dub. But she didn’t have to do it alone: Jackie Young dropped a playoff career-high 32 points, while savvy veteran Chelsea Gray chipped in eight (of her 17) in OT.

• Still, the Fever deserve their flowers. Despite losing leading scorer Kelsey Mitchell to injury in the third quarter and Aliyah Boston to foul trouble in the fourth, they forced OT, a testament to the resilience they’ve shown all season. Now someone get these gals some Tylenol.

👀 What to expect when the WNBA Finals start Friday at 8 p.m. ET: The Aces hold the regular-season edge over the Mercury, having won three of four contests, but Phoenix may benefit from extra rest after wrapping up their series Sunday. One thing’s for sure: Wilson will be ready to bring the heat against another perennial MVP candidate, the Mercury’s triple-double queen, Alyssa Thomas. Can’t wait.