WNBA Dimes
Hosted by Cookie
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Cookie based on prompt: Daily WNBA news. Scores, highlights, and general news. Call it WNBA Dimes
Transcript
Hey! It's Cookie O'Clock! Welcome to "WNBA Dimes," where we dive into the thrills and spills of the WNBA Finals. I'm your host, Brooke, here to guide you through every nail-biting moment with a sprinkle of wit. Today, we're breaking down an epic Game 3 that had us all on the edge of our seats, and trust me, this one's a doozy.
So, picture it: the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury battling it out in a high-stakes showdown. A’ja Wilson delivers the dagger—a seven-foot fadeaway jumper with just 0.3 seconds left on the clock. Bam! The Aces clinch it, 90–88, inching them closer to their third championship in four years.
Las Vegas came out swinging, kicking off with a fabulous 17–0 run. Jewell Loyd was on fire, sinking three first-quarter threes like she was shooting in her sleep. Chelsea Gray masterfully controlled the court, and by halftime, the Aces had a 61–52 lead. Their aggressive offense and rock-solid defense were all thanks to the one and only Wilson.
But hold on! The Mercury weren’t about to roll over. Enter Kahleah Copper—11 straight points and breathes hope into Phoenix. Then DeWanna Bonner ties it up with a clutch three-pointer, showing us that this game is far from over. As the clock ticks down, the tension is thick enough to cut with a knife.
Now, let’s talk A’ja Wilson. What a performance! She posted 34 points, 14 rebounds, and redefined what it means to be clutch. Not only did her heroics edge Las Vegas toward the title, but she shattered the WNBA single-postseason scoring record, amassing a whopping 291 points in just 11 games. Two words: sheer dominance.
Looking ahead, the Aces have a 3-0 lead, teetering on the brink of a historic sweep. Game 4 tips off soon, and if Phoenix wants to flip the script, they're going to need a miracle wrapped in a comeback. Will the Aces secure their third title since 2022, or is there another twist waiting in the wings?
Meanwhile, in the defensive arena, the league unveiled its 2025 All-Defensive teams. The First Team, with A’ja Wilson co-winning Defensive Player of the Year, highlights her epic season and cemented MVP status. Alanna Smith, Napheesa Collier, and others showcase tenacity and grit, proving defense is just as thrilling as offense.
So, what's next? The Aces are poised to make history, while the Mercury aim for an unprecedented rally. Off the court, the All-Defensive selections stir discussions of awards and legacies. Will Wilson grab a second Finals MVP? Stay tuned on "WNBA Dimes" as we follow the drama, player interviews, and tactical showdowns.
Thanks for joining me, Brooke, on this whirlwind WNBA ride. Until next time, keep those cookies crisp and those buzzer-beaters crisper. Catch you later!
## Game 3 Recap: Aces Edge Mercury 90–88 in Heart-Stopping Finish
In Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA Finals on Wednesday night, A’ja Wilson sank a seven-foot fadeaway jumper with just 0.3 seconds remaining to lift the Las Vegas Aces to a 90–88 victory over the Phoenix Mercury at Footprint Center in Phoenix. The win, secured on October 8, vaulted the Aces to a commanding 3–0 lead in the best-of-seven series, putting them one victory away from their third championship in four seasons ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/08/aja-wilson-buzzer-beater-aces-mercury-wnba-finals-game-3?utm_source=openai)). The closely contested matchup featured multiple lead changes in the fourth quarter, but Wilson’s buzzer-beater ultimately proved the difference in a game that tipped off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/08/aja-wilson-buzzer-beater-aces-mercury-wnba-finals-game-3?utm_source=openai)).
## Aces’ Dominant Start and Key Contributors
Las Vegas raced out to a 17–0 run early in the first quarter, capitalizing on hot shooting from Jewell Loyd, who buried three of her four first-quarter three-pointers to ignite the Aces’ offense. Chelsea Gray orchestrated the attack, finishing with 11 points and five assists while penetrating Phoenix’s defense and setting up perimeter shooters ([sbnation.com](https://www.sbnation.com/womens-sports/1084423/aja-wilson-las-vegas-aces-game-winner-wnba-playoffs?utm_source=openai)). The Aces maintained control through three quarters, outscoring the Mercury 61–52 by halftime, thanks in large part to Las Vegas’s balanced attack and suffocating interior defense anchored by Wilson.
## Mercury’s Resilient Fourth-Quarter Comeback
Trailing by 12 early in the fourth quarter, the Mercury rallied behind Kahleah Copper, who poured in 11 consecutive points to cut the deficit to three. DeWanna Bonner followed with a game-tying three-pointer with under a minute remaining, capping a furious Phoenix comeback that saw the Mercury outscore Las Vegas 36–29 in the final frame ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/08/aja-wilson-buzzer-beater-aces-mercury-wnba-finals-game-3?utm_source=openai)). Satou Sabally added 24 points for Phoenix before exiting late in the game due to a head injury, while Alyssa Thomas nearly recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, keeping the Mercury within striking distance until Wilson’s shot sealed the outcome.
## Wilson’s Historic Performance and Record-Breaking Postseason
A’ja Wilson delivered one of the signature performances of her career, finishing with 34 points on 12-of-21 shooting and grabbing 14 rebounds, marking her second 30-point, 14-rebound outing of these playoffs ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/08/aja-wilson-buzzer-beater-aces-mercury-wnba-finals-game-3?utm_source=openai)). Beyond her late-game heroics, Wilson eclipsed the WNBA single-postseason scoring record, amassing 291 points through 11 playoff games and setting a new standard for postseason productivity. This outing further solidified her case for a second Finals MVP award, with analysts praising her blend of physicality, footwork, and clutch shooting under intense defensive pressure.
## Series Outlook: Aces One Win from Title
With the series standing at 3–0 in favor of Las Vegas, the Aces are poised to clinch the championship on Friday, October 10, when Game 4 tips off at 8 p.m. ET from the same arena. Should Las Vegas win, they will secure their third WNBA title since 2022 and cap off a season highlighted by Wilson’s record fourth MVP award and the league’s best regular-season turnaround ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/08/aja-wilson-buzzer-beater-aces-mercury-wnba-finals-game-3?utm_source=openai)). Phoenix, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle as the first team in WNBA Finals history to attempt a comeback from an 0–3 deficit, a feat never accomplished in league history.
## 2025 All-Defensive Teams Announced
On the same day, the WNBA unveiled its 2025 All-Defensive teams, recognizing the league’s premier defenders across all positions. The First Team consists of Minnesota Lynx forwards Alanna Smith and Napheesa Collier, Seattle Storm guard Gabby Williams, Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson, and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas. Smith and Wilson also shared the Co-Defensive Player of the Year honor, underscoring their season-long impact in the paint and on the boards ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/lynx-place-two-wnba-all-defensive-first-team--flm-2025-10-08/?utm_source=openai)). The Second Team features Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston, Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton, Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard, Storm forward Ezi Magbegor, and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/lynx-place-two-wnba-all-defensive-first-team--flm-2025-10-08/?utm_source=openai)).
## Defensive Standouts and Season Impact
Alanna Smith’s versatility and Napheesa Collier’s shot-altering presence propelled the Lynx to the league’s best defensive rating (99.2), despite their semifinal exit at the hands of Phoenix. Seattle’s Gabby Williams earned her first All-Defensive nod following a season in which she averaged a career-high 1.8 steals per game. A’ja Wilson’s selection highlights her two-way dominance, as she became the first player in WNBA history to co-win Defensive Player of the Year and lead the league in MVP voting in the same season. Alyssa Thomas rounded out the First Team selection after ranking second in the league with 8.7 rebounds per game and anchoring Phoenix’s defensive schemes throughout the year ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/lynx-place-two-wnba-all-defensive-first-team--flm-2025-10-08/?utm_source=openai)).
## Looking Ahead: Storylines for WNBA Dimes
As the Aces stand on the brink of history, all eyes are on Game 4 and the potential coronation of Las Vegas. Off the court, the All-Defensive Team sets the stage for postseason award discussions, including potential Finals MVP honors and end-of-season recognitions. Stay tuned to WNBA Dimes for continued coverage of player interviews, tactical breakdowns, and exclusive insights as the 2025 Finals reach their climax. Whether Las Vegas completes the sweep or Phoenix stages a historic comeback, October 9 promises more drama in the world’s premier women’s basketball league ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/where-to-watch-2025-wnba-playoffs-tv-channel-live-stream-bracket-schedule-scores-after-four-games-sunday/amp/?utm_source=openai)).
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