The Las Vegas Aces are best defined by their ability to understand and then to disrupt.

Steals and blocks are the two defensive cornerstones of a team looking to claim their third championship in just four years. And both of these metrics require a fully locked-in defence that is on the prowl, ready to make a game-defining read.

It’s in the most focused moments that huge momentum-shifting baskets are deflected by mere fingertips, or the swing of the game altered as A’ja Wilson leaps in front of a pass.

But disruption in Vegas didn’t come from just their star player — Chelsea Gray had three blocks and three steals over the four quarters, while Jewell Loyd also contributed two blocks and three steals.

The Mercury kept having the ball taken just as they would bring it to their sweet spot

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