A'ja Wilson puts Aces ahead late and has 26 points, 18 rebounds in 84-81 win over Mercury

PHOENIX (AP) — A'ja Wilson made the go-ahead basket with 22 seconds left and finished with 26 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists as the Las Vegas Aces beat Phoenix 84-81 on Sunday, ending the Mercury's six-game winning streak.

Wilson made a difficult layup on a feed from Chelsea Gray to make it 83-81 after Jackie Young snared an offensive rebound for the Aces. Aaliyah Nye made a free throw with 7.1 seconds left before the Mercury failed to get a good look on a third straight possession in the final minute.

Nye, a rookie, had career bests of five 3-pointers and 16 points for the Aces (8-8). Young added 15 points and Jewell Loyd had 10. Wilson tied Lisa Leslie for the most 25-point, 15 rebound games in WNBA history at 13.

Alyssa Thomas led Phoenix (12-5) with 16 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Kahleah Copper added 15 points, Sami Whitcomb had 14 and Satou Sabally 10. Whitcomb had four 3s, giving her at least four in five straight games, tying a WNBA record.

There were 10 ties and 17 lead changes in the game, which was tied at 40 at halftime.

Wilson had 10 points in the third quarter, which concluded with the Aces leading 59-50.

Phoenix scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter and surged to a 67-62 lead. Vegas went back ahead on Loyd's 3-pointer with 3:14 to play and the lead changed hands five times after that.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) reacts after a play against the Washington Mystics during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Vegas Golden Knights goalie Carter Hart appeared to injure his left leg in the first period Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Columbus had possession of the puck, forcing an injured Hart to stay in the crease while his teammates tried to defend. Boone Jenner capitalized by scoring for a 1-0 lead at 8:24 of the period

Akira Schmid replaced Hart.

NHL rules prevent the stoppage of play for an injured player if the opposing team has the puck unless it's clear that player is seriously hurt.

The Golden Knights already were short-handed at the position with Adin Hill out since injuring his left leg Oct. 20 against Carolina. Hill practiced Thursday and could be nearing a return.

Vegas signed Hart in October and he made his first appearance Dec. 2 in a 4-3 victory over Chicago. It was his first NHL appearance in nearly two years.

Hart was one of five 2018 Canada world junior hockey players acquitted of sexual assault in July. He was the first of those five agree to an NHL contract. The league ruled those players were eligible to sign deals beginning Oct. 15 and to play starting Dec. 1. Hart signed a two-year, $4 million contract.

He went into this game 5-3-3 with 3.23 goals-against average and .874 save percentage.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart, right, defends the net though apparently injured during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Las Vegas. Hart left the game after a stoppage in play. (AP Photo/David Becker)