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The Las Vegas Aces (24-8) closed out their regular season with a buzzer-beating putback shot by guard Jackie Young to put them ahead in the final seconds.
Then a block by center JiSu Park gave the Aces the 84-83 win over the Mercury (19-13).
Both Las Vegas and Phoenix have clinched playoffs, the Aces are the second seed while the Mercury the fifth seed in this year’s WNBA playoffs.
Las Vegas will await for the first and second round to complete before finding out who will be its opponent in the semifinals. The semi finals still remain slated for Tuesday, September 28.
The Aces will be the host of games one, two and five.
The first and second round games are scheduled for Thursday, September 23 and Sunday, September 26.
Las Vegas has the number one offense in the league according to WNBA.com.
The Aces are the first team in league history to have seven players average double-digits in points.
This year’s team led the league in points per game, along with having five players in the top 20 in points per game.
Not only is Las Vegas good offensively, defensively the Aces rank second in the league.
Las Vegas has five players in the top 20 in defensive win shares, they lead the league in defensive rebounding, and are third in the league for blocks per game.
The Aces trailed the entire duration of the game, however, they were able to stay within four points at the end of each quarter.
This game did not mean much as it had no effect on the playoff seeding but it showed the Aces have enough firepower to win games and bring a championship to Las Vegas at some point.
The Mercury were led by guard Skylar Diggins-Smith's 17 points, followed by forward Kia Nurse's 13 points.
Phoenix sat center Britney Griner in the second half and was already playing without Diana Taurasi, who remains out nursing an ankle injury..
Center Liz Cambage made her return after missing five games due to the WNBA’s health and safety protocols. In her limited minutes, she recorded four points, four rebounds.
The Aces had five players score in double figures in the game when the players were on minute restrictions.
Guard Riquna Williams recorded 13 points on the night, finishing the season averaging 10.5 on the season.
Player of the Week, Player of the Month and potential Comeback Player of the Year candidate, guard Kelsey Plum recorded 23 points in the game.
She concludes the season averaging 14.8 coming off of the bench.
In addition to the aforementioned accolades, Plum is currently the favorite to win Sixth Woman of the Year.
Forward Dearica Hamby added to her potential Sixth Woman of the Year case with a 12-point, four-rebound outing.
Hamby has won the award in back-to-back years.
The game’s hero, Young finished the day with 10 points, seven rebounds, and four rebounds.
Guard Chelsea Gray chipped in with 12 points.