Full Breakdown
Mercury’s Blowout Drowns Aces’ Ring Ceremony
5/11/2026, 1:24:56 AM
Mercury’s Blowout Drowns Aces’ Ring Ceremony
The Phoenix Mercury opened the 2026 WNBA season with a 99-66 victory over the Las Vegas Aces at T-Mobile Arena on May 9. The 33-point win eclipsed the Aces’ pre-game championship-ring ceremony and marked the defending champions’ largest opening-night loss.
Background: Finals Sweep and Ring Day
Las Vegas entered as three-time champions after sweeping Phoenix in the 2025 Finals. A 15-minute ceremony presented custom rings—14-karat white-gold bands with removable tops—while owners Mark Davis and Tom Brady watched from the court.
Key Players
Phoenix’s scoring was led by Alyssa Thomas (20 points, nine assists) and rookie Jovana Nogic (19 points, all in the first half). Natasha Mack added a double-double (10 points, 15 rebounds). For Las Vegas, A’ja Wilson posted 19 points, with Jackie Young (12) and NaLyssa Smith (11) contributing.
Game Statistics
The 99-66 margin is the Mercury’s biggest season-opening win and the Aces’ worst defeat since a 111-58 loss in August 2023. Phoenix shot 53 % from the field and 11-for-24 from three; six Mercury players reached double figures.
Official Statements
Mark Davis described the rings as a symbol of continuity, saying the team was “back.” Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts highlighted the new collective-bargaining agreement that made signing Jovana Nogic financially viable. Aces coach Becky Hammon blamed the loss on defensive lapses, noting the team gave “80 percent of the court for free.”
Criticism of the Ring Ceremony
A’ja Wilson voiced frustration with the timing, calling the ceremony “hard to compartmentalize” and wishing it could occur after the game. She also said the Aces “allowed them to get wide-open looks because our defense was poor.”
On-Court Narrative
Phoenix opened the second quarter with a 14-2 run, taking a 41-23 lead. The Mercury extended the advantage to 56-35 at halftime and never relinquished it, finishing with a 33-point margin after forcing 17 turnovers.
Conflicting Accounts
ESPN describes the result as the “largest margin of defeat by a defending champion in its season opener,” while NBC Sports frames it as the Mercury’s “largest margin of victory since Aug. 7.” Both characterizations are accurate but emphasize opposite perspectives.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You want to enjoy it, but at the same time, there’s a whole business side of it that you have to take care of. And it’s hard to kind of compartmentalize that at times,” — A’ja Wilson, Aces center
- “The hand is getting heavy [with three rings], but the crown is getting heavier.” — A’ja Wilson, Aces center
- “This is a player who hasn't come over [to the WNBA] because maybe it wasn't worth it, money-wise,” — Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix head coach
- “I was just happy and grateful to be here,” — Jovana Nogic, Phoenix rookie
Looking Ahead
The Aces will raise their championship banner on May 23 against the Los Angeles Sparks at Michelob Ultra Arena. Phoenix travels to the Chase Center to meet the Golden State Valkyries the following day, both teams seeking to rebound from the opening-night results.
