The WNBA Finals tip off Friday night, and the Las Vegas Aces look nothing like the team that was absolutely blown out back in August.
After a crushing 53-point loss to Minnesota, A’ja Wilson didn’t just slump. Instead, she pulled out her phone.
Her message to teammates wasn’t sugarcoated, according to ESPN's Michael Voepel: “If you weren’t embarrassed, don’t come to the gym.”
That text, along with advice from her boyfriend Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, became the turning point. From that moment, the Aces picked up 16 straight wins, Wilson grabbed her record fourth MVP and Las Vegas is back to the Finals.
Friday night, they host the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1.
MORE: Las Vegas Aces advance to WNBA Finals
Wilson played 40 games in the regular season and averaged 31.2 minutes per game. She scored 23.4 points per game and was one of four players for the Aces with double digits per game.
The former Gamecock star also averaged 10.2 rebounds and dished out 3.1 assists per game. Wilson made 50% of her shots, 42.4% from downtown, and 85.5% from the free throw line.
When the series gets started on Friday night, Phoenix will feature Satou Sabally, the 27-year-old who scored 16.3 points per game. Kahleah Cooper and Alyssa Thomas have been strong for the Mercury as well, with just shy of 16 points per game.
This is a best-of-five series, with Game 2 in Vegas on Sunday. The series shifts to Phoenix for Game 3 on October 8. If needed, Game 4 is set for October 10, with the WNBA Finals Game 5 slated for October 12.
More WNBA News:
- Las Vegas Aces advance to WNBA Finals
- Minnesota Lynx season on the brink without head and star forward
- Shocking move by New York Liberty less than season after WNBA title
- Sin City stunner as Mitchell drops 34 on Aces in Game 1 win for Fever
- A'ja Wilson wins fourth WNBA MVP