In a game where the Aces had their fourth largest crowd inside Mandalay Bay Michelob ULTRA Arena with a trip to the WNBA Finals on the line, everything looked in favor for Las Vegas until 10-time All-Star Diana Taurasi turned back the clock.
Taurasi, who has battled a nagging ankle injury dating back to the end of the regular season, scored 14 of her 24 points in the fourth quarter to secure the Mercury's spot the 2021 WNBA Finals in a thrilling 87–84 victory over the Aces.
With the win, Taurasi improved to 22-8 all-time in elimination games in the WNBA Playoffs (now 10-2 on the road) and 57-9 throughout her entire basketball career in elimination games (NCAA, WNBA Playoffs and Olympics).