If you were betting against the house in 2025, you probably lost your shirt. The Las Vegas Aces just finished one of the most absurd runs in professional basketball history, sweeping the Phoenix Mercury to secure the 2025 WNBA championship. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. This team basically looked at a rocky 11-11 start to the season and decided they were done losing.
They didn't lose another game for the rest of the regular season. Not one.
The Sweep: How the 2025 WNBA Championship Was Won
The Finals were supposed to be a battle, but the Aces had other plans. For the first time ever, the league moved to a best-of-seven format. Most fans were hyped for a long, drawn-out series. Instead, Las Vegas ended it in four. They took the trophy on October 10, 2025, in front of a stunned crowd at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
Honestly, the Mercury had their chances. Game 1 was a nail-biter, ending 89-86. Game 3 was even closer, a 90-88 heartbreaker where Satou Sabally just couldn't get a prayer of a three-pointer to drop at the buzzer. But by Game 4, the Aces were just too much. They won the clincher 97-86, led by a woman who is essentially playing a different sport than everyone else right now.
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A'ja Wilson is Not From This Planet
You can't talk about who won the 2025 WNBA championship without talking about A’ja Wilson. She didn't just win; she dominated. She was named the 2025 WNBA Finals MVP after putting up video-game numbers: 28.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game across the series.
In the final game, she dropped 31 points and lived at the free-throw line, hitting 17 of 19.
But here is the kicker. Wilson didn't just take home the Finals MVP. She also bagged the regular-season MVP (her record-breaking fourth) and shared the Defensive Player of the Year award with Alanna Smith. She is the first player in the history of the WNBA to win all three in a single season. It's kinda terrifying how good she is.
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Why This Title Matters More Than the Others
This was the Aces' third title in four years. That's dynasty territory. They join the ranks of the Houston Comets and the Maya Moore-era Minnesota Lynx. But this one felt different because of the path they took.
- The 16-0 Finish: After that embarrassing 53-point loss to the Lynx in August, the Aces went on a rampage. They finished the season with 16 straight wins to snag the #2 seed.
- The Bracket: They had to go through a red-hot Indiana Fever team in the semifinals. Everyone was talking about Caitlin Clark, but the Aces reminded everyone that playoff experience is a real thing.
- The Depth: While A'ja gets the headlines, Chelsea Gray was a wizard with 10 assists in multiple Finals games. Jackie Young evolved into a legit scoring machine, and Dana Evans came off the bench in Game 1 to drop 21 points.
The Phoenix Mercury, led by Kahleah Copper and the ageless Alyssa Thomas, fought like hell. Thomas actually averaged nearly a triple-double in the playoffs. But the Aces' defense, coached by Becky Hammon, was a masterclass. Hammon is now 10-2 in Finals games. That is the best coaching record in the history of the league, period.
The Expansion Factor
It’s also worth mentioning that 2025 was a weird, historic year for the league. The Golden State Valkyries made their debut and actually made the playoffs as the #8 seed. They lost to the Lynx, but they sold out every single home game. The league is growing fast, but even with new talent like No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers (who won Rookie of the Year), the old guard in Vegas isn't ready to hand over the keys yet.
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What's Next for the WNBA?
Now that the confetti has been swept up in Vegas, the league is heading into a potentially rocky offseason. The players are opting out of the current collective bargaining agreement. They want better pay, better travel, and a bigger slice of the pie. Given the TV ratings were up 5% this year, they’ve got plenty of leverage.
If you’re looking to follow the momentum of the 2025 WNBA championship winner, keep an eye on the free agency tracker. The Aces will try to keep this core together, but with expansion drafts and salary cap shifts, staying on top is going to get a lot harder.
Actionable Insights for WNBA Fans:
- Watch the CBA Negotiations: The future of the 2026 season depends on the talks between the WNBPA and the league.
- Follow the Draft: With more expansion on the horizon, the 2026 draft will be crucial for teams trying to dethrone Vegas.
- Check the Schedule: The 2026 season typically tips off in May, so start looking for season tickets early if you want to see the dynasty in person.