After A’ja Wilson led the Las Vegas Aces to their third WNBA championship in four seasons, the celebration took an unexpected turn when an ex-NBA player suggested they could beat a men’s team.
Patrick Beverley made a striking claim, one that instantly set social media ablaze as the Aces clinched their latest title on October 11 with a 97-86 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, completing a commanding sweep in the 2025 WNBA Finals.
Their consistency, poise, and depth throughout the postseason solidified what many already believed: this team has become a modern dynasty, but Beverley‘s reaction went a step further than most.
“idk if it’s the team, but i really believe this Aces team could beat a NBA,” Beverley posted to X.com, formerly Twitter, in a statement that caught both basketball fans and analysts off guard.
The Aces‘ balanced offense also shone through the Finals. Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray each tallied 18 points in Game 4, while Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans added 12 and 10, respectively.
The team’s chemistry and defensive execution left little doubt about their superiority within the league as the Mercury fought valiantly, but it ultimately wasn’t enough on the night.
Could the Aces truly compete with NBA talent?
The idea of a WNBA team competing against an NBA roster has long been a hypothetical talking point, one that is often used to highlight differences in size, athleticism, and resources.
But Beverley‘s remark, coming from a player known for his defensive toughness and candor, pushed that debate into the mainstream once again.
Statistically, the Aces have every reason to be seen as dominant within their league. They finished the 2025 regular season at 30-14, a better record than six NBA teams last season, including the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and New Orleans Pelicans.
They closed the regular season with an incredible 16-game winning streak and weathered a few close playoff matchups, including a five-game duel with the Indiana Fever, before overwhelming the Mercury in the Finals.
Wilson, the team’s centerpiece and emotional leader, was named Finals MVP after a stunning Game 4 performance with 31 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks against Phoenix.
Over the series, she averaged 28.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and four assists, adding yet another layer to her growing legacy, but whether she could keep this up against men is far from a slam dunk answer.
“For us to be able to celebrate this, it’s truly special,” Wilson said. “We worked our butts off to get to this point, and now it’s time to have some fun.
“I wish I could take the credit, but this is God working.”
While Beverley‘s statement is likely to remain a topic of debate rather than a testable reality, it highlights the respect this Aces team has earned beyond the WNBA.
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