{
  "id": 9724395,
  "title": "Aces overwhelm Mercury for momentum heading into playoff rematch",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/aces-overwhelm-mercury-for-momentum-heading-into-playoff-rematch",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T07:06:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/aces-overwhelm-mercury-momentum-heading-070643115.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Las Vegas Aces concluded their regular season with a resounding 100-82 win over the Phoenix Mercury, marking the end of a seven-game winning streak that propelled them into playoff contention. A’ja Wilson led the charge with a triple-double of 34 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and a steal, securing her fifth MVP award and over 26 points per game for the second time in her career. Chelsea Gray also contributed significantly with 12 points, 10 assists, and five steals. Despite a below-average scoring night for Jackie Young, who recorded only five points, her 11 assists, seven rebounds, and three steals were crucial to the victory. Stephanie Talbot, who returned from the World Cup, added 14 points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Jewell Loyd delivered a clutch performance with 25 points and five three-pointers. Coach Becky Hammon acknowledged the challenge of facing a high-powered offense from the Minnesota Lynx, who had already eliminated the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs, and the Golden State Valkyries in the second round. The Aces will now face the Fever in the semifinals, with the first round of the WNBA playoffs set to begin on Sunday at Michelob ULTRA Arena.",
  "summary": "PHOENIX—Closing out the year with one rematch from last year’s playoff, the Las Vegas Aces now find themselves preparing for battle against another formerly vanquished foe.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Wilson scores 34, Loyd adds 25 off bench, Aces head into playoffs after beating Mercury 100-82",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/wilson-scores-34-loyd-adds-25-off-bench-aces-head-into-playoffs-after",
        "published": "2026-09-25T04:49:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Wilson scores 34, Loyd adds 25 off bench, Aces head into playoffs after beating Mercury 100-82",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/wilson-scores-34-loyd-adds-25-off-bench-aces-head-into-playoffs-after-9707643",
        "published": "2026-09-25T04:50:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}