Aces Overwhelmed by Mercury in Dominant Road Victory
The Phoenix Mercury delivered a statement performance on May 10, 2026, dismantling the Las Vegas Aces 99-66 on their home floor. From the opening tip, the Mercury imposed their will on both ends of the court, handing the defending champion Aces one of their most lopsided home losses in recent memory.
Phoenix jumped out to a 28-15 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. Their defensive intensity forced the Aces into difficult shots and a season-high 22 turnovers, many of which led to easy transition buckets. The Mercury's balanced scoring attack featured five players in double figures, led by a vintage performance from Diana Taurasi, who poured in 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting.
Mercury's Defensive Masterclass
The key to the victory was Phoenix's ability to neutralize Las Vegas's interior game. Aces star A'ja Wilson was held to just 12 points and 6 rebounds, well below her averages, as the Mercury collapsed on her with aggressive double-teams. The Aces shot only 38% from the field and managed just 11 points in the third quarter, allowing Phoenix to build an insurmountable lead.
Phoenix's Brittney Griner was a force on the glass, hauling in 14 rebounds to go with 18 points, while point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith orchestrated the offense with 11 assists against only 2 turnovers. The Mercury shot 52% from the floor and 41% from three-point range.
What This Means for Both Teams
The win improved Phoenix's record to 8-2, keeping them atop the WNBA standings. For Las Vegas, the loss dropped them to 6-4, raising early-season questions about their consistency without key offseason acquisitions. The Aces will need to regroup quickly as they head on a three-game road trip starting in Seattle.
This result also highlighted the growing rivalry between these two Western Conference powers. The Mercury's dominant performance served notice that they are serious contenders for the WNBA championship this season.

