The Las Vegas Aces remained perfect at home since early August, winning the third game of the 2025 WNBA playoffs against the Seattle Storm. A’ja Wilson finished the regular season with a record-breaking feat. He continued her offensive dominance in the playoffs, also helping the Aces clinch the opening series against the Seattle Storm.
But the third and the eliminator game of the series was nerve-wracking, with just one point separating the two teams late in the game. Just as the Strom player looked to make the basket, the lights at the Michelob ULTRA arena went off.
Light Went Off At Las Vegas Aces’ Home Court
So far, the WNBA games have had many exciting and unexpected finishes. The Minnesota Lynx recorded a stunning comeback win against the Golden State Valkyries, overcoming a 14-point deficit in the final quarter. They failed to do so in the last two decades but delivered on the night. The Indiana Fever also came from behind to record a win over the Atlanta Dream in the final seconds of the game.
But no one would have thought the finish at the Michelob ULTRA arena as the game went till the final seconds, and the arena lights stole the headlines instead of the players.
The visitors had the possible game-winning shot. First, Erica Wheeler tried for a game-winning shot, which bounced off the rim. Though the Storm got the possession back, securing the offensive rebound, it was time for Gabby Williams to become a hero with the series-clinching shot. But the area suddenly went dark, and Aces players and fans started celebrating.
The Aces think they’re slick turning the lights off during the Storm’s potential game-winner 😭 pic.twitter.com/Qh1FFzD21Y
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) September 19, 2025
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The scene was new for many basketball followers who took a dig at the league and the Aces for the scrappy finish.
Fans React To Buzzer Beater Lighting Glitch At Las Vegas Aces’ Home Court
Even though it was later understood that the shot clock expired just before Williams attempted the shot, and that she didn’t make the basket, the time difference between the shot attempt and the lights going off was not even a second. The blackout and celebration left shell-shocked fans involved in the game.
A fan wrote, “Should get a fine”.
Should get a fine for it tbh. Game was not officially over.
— Trent Harvey (@TheTrentHarvey) September 19, 2025
Another fan said, “they actually did that on purpose?”
wait they actually did that on purpose? i legit thought the power went out lol that’s dumb af
— Anna (@tinkerbellannab) September 19, 2025
One fan laughed the incident off and wrote, “hell no”.
helllll no🤣
— MrJ.ETH (@MrJdotETH) September 19, 2025
A fan mentioned, “So Typical of this horribly run league”.
So typical of this horribly-run league to pull bush-league stuff like this
— The Watchdog (@TheWatchdogDBQ) September 19, 2025
One fan questioned, “How the hell they even allowed that?”
Lmfao 🤣
— George T. (@George77777T) September 19, 2025
How the hell they even allowed that ?!
Another fan wrote, “Fine them for interference”.
Fine them for interference
— Romi Sunga (@romisunga) September 19, 2025
The Aces will now host the 2025 WNBA semifinal series from September 21 against the Indiana Fever, and, looking at the massive fan followers and recent fan backlash, they will be extra cautious with the lighting arrangement.