The Las Vegas Aces are on the verge of history. They have a dominant run through the 2025 WNBA Playoffs. They have defeated the Seattle Storm in the first round and outlasted the Indiana Fever in the semifinals. Now they are just one win away from clinching their third WNBA title.
But even amid this remarkable stretch, A’ja Wilson isn’t celebrating too early. The Aces superstar took a moment before Game 4 to share a heartfelt message to Satou Sabally, whose untimely injury has shaken the basketball world.
What Was A’ja Wilson’s Message Regarding Satou Sabally?
During a recent practice session interview ahead of Game 4, Wilson reflected on how difficult it is to see a key player like Sabally sidelined at the most crucial moment of the season.
“I mean, first of all, I hate to see any player go down. I suffered from a concussion earlier this season, and it’s no joke. That is the mind, and the brain is in a completely different wave… the brain is an organ I would never play around with.”
“So prayers out to Satou. I know it’s not easy, and particularly this time, it’s even harder. So definitely the heart is heavy for her. But it is for me as a leader, I have to make sure that our locker room isn’t complacent because we know that feeling of next man up,” said Wilson during the interview.
Wilson’s comments came just after reports confirmed that Sabally will miss Game 4 following a concussion suffered late in Game 3. If we see she sustained the injury during the final minutes of the fourth quarter, when Sabally collided awkwardly with Aces forward Kierstan Bell’s planted leg after being fouled by Jackie Young. The moment silenced the crowd as Sabally stayed down for several minutes. She was eventually helped off the floor and did not return.
However, before her exit, Sabally was putting on a show. She scored 24 points to go with five rebounds, three assists, and a block, and kept the Phoenix Mercury within striking distance for much of the game.
Her two-way dominance and leadership had been instrumental in the Mercury’s playoff push, making her absence a significant blow heading into a do-or-die Game 4.
As for Game 3 itself, the Aces displayed their elite skills from the start, jumping out to a three-point lead after the first quarter and expanding their advantage to 12 points by halftime.
By the third quarter, the Aces extended their lead to as much as 17 points. Yet, the Mercury refused to go down quietly as they stormed back in the fourth and trimmed the deficit to just two points before ultimately falling short (90–88).
With Sabally sidelined, the Mercury face an uphill battle to keep their season alive. Now veteran forward DeWanna Bonner, who is averaging nine points per game in the postseason, will be counted on to take on a larger role both offensively and defensively.
The Mercury must find a way to rally together and force a Game 5 when the series continues on October 10.