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South Carolina women's basketball: A'ja Wilson hits game-winner

On3 imageby: Chris Wellbaum10/09/25ChrisWellbaum
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) makes a makes the game winning shot against Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the second half during game three of the 2025 WNBA Finals at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) makes a makes the game winning shot against Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the second half during game three of the 2025 WNBA Finals at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

A’ja Wilson hit a game-winning jump shot on Wednesday night to bring the Aces to the brink of their third WNBA championship in four years.

Las Vegas led by 17 going into the fourth, but Phoenix chipped away at the lead. DeWanna Bonner hit a three-pointer that tied the game at 86 with 1:41 left. Chelsea Gray put the Aces back on top with a layup, and then Bonner hit two free throws to retie the game with 61 seconds left.

Wilson missed her first chance at a go-ahead basket when she bobbled a pass out of bounds with 40 seconds left. Alyssa Thomas missed a layup with 20 seconds left, meaning Las Vegas could play for the final shot.

The Aces struggled to get set on offense and create a good shot. Realizing they were about to blow a huge opportunity, coach Becky Hammon called a timeout with five seconds left. In the huddle, she drew up a play. The play?

“Get the ball to A’ja, and get out of the way,” she said.

Wilson started on the baseline, got a screen from Jewell Loyd, and caught Gray’s inbounds pass at the left elbow, her sweet spot. Guarded by Bonner, Wilson took a dribble left, spun right, where Alyssa Thomas, who was named to the All-Defensive team earlier in the day, was waiting with the double team.

It didn’t matter. Wilson rose and fired. The ball rattled around the rim and dropped through with 0.3 seconds left.

Bonner was nearly able to tie the game again, but her desperation tap missed, giving the Aces the win.

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Wilson finished with 34 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. The 34 points were her career-high for a Finals game. Wilson set the WNBA record for most career 30-point playoff games (nine), most 30-point games in a single playoffs (four), most 20-point, 10-rebound Finals games (seven), and became the first player with consecutive Finals games of at least 25 points and 10 rebounds. 

In the Finals, Wilson is averaging 27.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.7 blocks.

In previous seasons, Wilson’s basket would have been the championship-winner. However, the WNBA changed the Finals from best-of-five to best-of-seven this season for the first time. Regardless, Phoenix faces the nearly impossible task of winning four straight games against a team that has beaten the Mercury six of the seven times they have played this season.

Las Vegas will try to clinch the championship in Game 4 on Friday. Tipoff is at 8:00 pm ET, and the game will be televised on ESPN.

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