Becky Hammon Should Thank A’ja Wilson For Perfectly Executing Her Master Plan In Limiting Alyssa Thomas Proven For Years

For Becky Hammon and the Las Vegas Aces, the ask is no less than a WNBA championship ring. And with her proven master plan against Alyssa Thomas, it’s squared down to A’ja Wilson to stop the Phoenix Mercury veteran.

While the Aces have already knocked down PHX for an impressive three times in a row in the Finals series, coach Hammon recently revealed what she told her players during the timeout huddle. And now that it worked for the team, she should thank her ace center for executing it with near perfection.

A’ja Wilson Led Coach Hammon’s Year-Old Trick Against Alyssa Thomas

Despite some strong expectations for the Mercury to bounce back in Game 3, they faltered. The Aces advanced to Game 4 with a clear edge over them, and a championship looks almost promised for Hammon’s girls. Although Hammon earlier backed Wilson for the WNBA MVP nod, it’s now paying dividends.

When Becky Hammon took over the Aces, she wanted to create a team that could adapt, counter, and dominate any style of play. That mindset shaped her defensive schemes, especially against aggressive forwards like Thomas. However, Hammon began developing a “wall system” two seasons ago, training her frontcourt to close gaps before Thomas could initiate her signature drives.

Legendary 👑

A'ja Wilson has the Aces one game away from becoming WNBA Champions once again 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9zxfmEVUvP

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 9, 2025

Now, that defensive approach is paying off. In the Finals, Wilson has been the anchor of that plan while staying vertical, denying post touches, and forcing Thomas into tough, low-percentage shots. 

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While none of Mercury’s coaching staff saw that coming, Hammon trained her girls to meet Thomas at every angle and make her work for every point. While a team-wide effort was what took down the Thomas-led team, Coach Becky has more than just one reason to attribute it to her roster composition. 

A’ja Wilson Leading Aces To Another WNBA Championship

While giving away too much emotion games before finally getting their hands on the championship trophy would not be something the Aces are looking at, A’ja Wilson has shown time and again that the Las Vegas fans can count on her.

In addition to her defensive outplay, Wilson’s chemistry with Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young is the foundation of the Aces’ two-way dominance. Together, they’ve built a team that plays fast, defends harder, and adapts on the fly.