A'ja Wilson's double-double propels Aces over Mercury

A'ja Wilson scored 19 points with 13 rebounds as the Las Vegas Aces extended their season-best winning streak to nine games with an 83-61 victory over the visiting Phoenix Mercury on Thursday.

Dana Evans scored 17 points, while Jackie Young, NaLyssa Smith and Chelsea Gray each scored 12 as the Aces (23-14) moved past both the Mercury and the New York Liberty into third place in the overall WNBA standings with seven games remaining in the regular season.

Wilson, the reigning league MVP, delivered her 18th double-double of the season and her seventh during the winning streak.

Las Vegas won the season series 3-1 over Phoenix.

Alyssa Thomas scored 17 points and Satou Sabally added 15 as the Mercury (21-14) lost to the Aces for the second time in the past four games. Natasha Mack had 10 rebounds as the Mercury had a 43-37 advantage on the boards.

Phoenix guard Kahleah Copper was held to six points on 2-of-8 shooting and departed for good with 6:24 remaining in the third quarter after sustaining a left side injury while fighting through a screen by Wilson.

The Aces took charge early and cruised to the victory late, getting off to a strong start with a 23-17 lead after one quarter. They took the lead for good on a 3-pointer from Kierstan Bell with 1:44 remaining in the opening quarter.

Las Vegas led by as many as 15 points in the second quarter and led 43-29 at halftime by holding Phoenix to 28.9 percent shooting from the floor over the opening two quarters.

The Mercury pulled within nine points multiple times in the third quarter before the Aces took a 59-46 lead into the final period. Last Vegas cruised to the victory from there by holding Phoenix to 31 percent shooting and a season low in points.

The Mercury's 61 points were the second fewest by an Aces opponent this season.