Pool play is over. Wednesday was the final day of the Commissioner's Cup pool stage, and it delivered the drama the occasion demanded. Las Vegas clinched the Western Conference Cup berth with a dominant defensive performance against Phoenix, while New York survived a one-point scare in Chicago to lock up the Eastern Conference spot. Minnesota closed their pool stage with a convincing road win in Los Angeles. Golden State turned the game around with a 19-point second quarter to beat Dallas. Portland ended Connecticut's miserable Cup campaign. And Washington collected a consolation win over the Sun. The Commissioner's Cup championship game is set: Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty on June 30. Here's how the final pool day unfolded.

Washington Mystics 88, Connecticut Sun 81

Washington came in needing a win to close pool play on a positive note, and Sonia Citron made sure they got one. The Mystics drew 25 fouls, went a staggering 29-of-30 from the free throw line, and never truly let Connecticut into the game despite the Sun's competitive third quarter. When you shoot 96.7 percent from the line in a game where neither team is lighting it up from the field, you win. Final: 88-81, Washington closes pool play at 2-3 and Connecticut finishes their winless Cup campaign at 0-5.

Citron was exceptional. She went 7-of-13 from the field for 26 points on 71.1 percent true shooting, drawing 12 fouls and going a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line with 11 rebounds and four assists, posting a double-double and an efficiency score of 41, the highest of the game. Her ability to draw contact and convert at the line was Washington's offensive engine all night. Michaela Onyenwere delivered again, going 8-of-12 from the field with all four three-point attempts converted for 22 points at 85.4 percent true shooting. McMahon was efficient off the bench with six rebounds, four assists, and a 4.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. Lauren Betts drew seven fouls and went 9-of-10 from the line for 13 points on 57 percent true shooting, her shooting from the field (2-of-7) not matching the trips to the line.

Connecticut's best effort came from Aneesah Morrow, who logged an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double with two steals and 46.3 percent true shooting, converting 100 percent of her second-chance opportunities. Morrow has been one of the few consistent performers for Connecticut across a brutal Cup campaign. Kennedy Burke shot 3-of-5 from three for 10 points at 74 percent true shooting. Charlisse Leger-Walker had 10 points and four assists at 79.1 percent true shooting. But the Sun's 65.2 percent free throw shooting (15-of-23) against Washington's 96.7 was the margin of the game, plain and simple.

WAS 88 · CON 81

New York Liberty 96, Chicago Sky 95

The Liberty didn’t need a win to clinch the Eastern Conference Cup berth and they were playing for bragging rights, and for most of the night it looked like Chicago had other ideas. The Sky shot 52.2 percent from three, generated 24 points from Sydney Taylor off the bench, and led in both the third and fourth quarters. New York survived anyway, 96-95, on the strength of Jonquel Jones's 19-point effort, 38 bench points, and a second-chance production rate of 85.7 percent that gave the Liberty just enough cushion each time Chicago threatened to take control for good. The Liberty close pool play a perfect 6-0 in the East and advance to the Commissioner's Cup championship game on June 30.

Jonquel Jones was magnificent in New York's biggest Cup game, going 6-of-9 from the field (3-of-5 from three, 4-of-4 FT) for 19 points at 88.3 percent true shooting with eight rebounds, three assists, and a block. Her ability to stretch the floor with three-point shooting while also providing interior defense was precisely what New York needed in a game where Chicago kept attacking the paint. Satou Sabally was the most efficient Liberty player, going 8-of-11 (including 7-of-7 on two-pointers) for 17 points on 77.3 percent true shooting with two second-chance conversions. Pauline Astier came off the bench to go 1-of-3 for nine points (relying on seven-of-seven from the free throw line), with four assists, two offensive rebounds, and a plus-8 that reflected her importance in key stretches. New York's 85.7 percent second-chance conversion rate (6-of-7) and 38 bench points provided the cushion that survived Chicago's fourth-quarter charge.

Chicago made New York earn every point and deserved better from the scoreboard. Gabriela Jaquez was the Sky's best performer, going 7-of-11 from the field (4-of-5 from three) for 22 points at 86.2 percent true shooting with three assists and two second-chance conversions. Sydney Taylor came off the bench in her usual starring role, going 10-of-16 (4-of-7 from three) for 24 points at 75 percent true shooting with 12 fast-break points. Skylar Diggins orchestrated beautifully, going 7-of-16 for 19 points with eight assists and a perfect 8.0 assist-to-turnover ratio, drawing fouls and attacking the paint all night. Azura Stevens had four turnovers and a tech foul in limited minutes that disrupted Chicago's rhythm at critical moments. Chicago shot 52.2 percent from three (12-of-23), their best three-point shooting night of the Cup, and still came up one point short.

NYL 96 · CHI 95

Minnesota Lynx 99, Los Angeles Sparks 83

Olivia Miles went 12-of-15 from the field, and that was more or less the whole story. Minnesota came into Los Angeles, absorbed an early Sparks run, and then took over completely on the strength of Miles's 31-point performance, 11 team steals, and a perfect 7-of-7 second-chance conversion rate. Los Angeles shot the ball fine and scored 83 points, which under normal circumstances would be enough to compete. Minnesota is not normal circumstances. Final: 99-83, the Lynx close pool play at 5-1.

Olivia Miles put up one of the best individual performances of the final pool day, going 12-of-15 from the field (2-of-3 from three) for 31 points at 87.9 percent true shooting with four assists and five turnovers. Her 80 percent two-point conversion rate and paint dominance (eight made attempts at the rim on nine tries) defined how Minnesota generated their interior production. Courtney Williams gave the Lynx 13 points with five assists on 59.1 percent true shooting. Natasha Howard fought for 15 points and nine rebounds with five second-chance points and a flagrant foul, getting to the line for five attempts. Minnesota's 11 steals generated 25 points off Los Angeles's 19 turnovers, with Nia Coffey recording five steals to go with seven points off the bench. Minnesota's perfect 100 percent second-chance conversion rate (7-of-7) and 55.6 percent field goal shooting reflected their control of every physical category.

Los Angeles's best individual was Rae Burrell, who went 6-of-10 from the field for 19 points at 75.2 percent true shooting with three assists. Jihyun Park shot 5-of-7 for 13 points at 82.5 percent true shooting. Dearica Hamby was efficient (5-of-6 FG) for 12 points with nine rebounds and three steals, though her 33.3 percent free throw shooting (1-of-3) and three turnovers were problems. Ariel Atkins shot 1-of-7 with three turnovers and a minus-12, one of the worst individual shooting performances of Wednesday's six-game slate. Los Angeles's 0-of-6 midrange shooting told the story of how Minnesota took away their usual shot creation options.

MIN 99 · LAS 83

Seattle Storm 89, Portland Fire 94

Bridget Carleton made seven threes and Portland made it count. Seattle led for most of the first half and played competitive basketball throughout, but the Fire's perimeter explosion in the second half was too much to overcome. Carleton's seven three-pointers, Carla Leite's 10-assist, one-turnover playmaking masterclass, and a dominant fourth quarter sealed it. Final: 94-89, Portland closes at 2-4 while Seattle ends the pool stage at 0-6, the only team without a Cup win all tournament.

Bridget Carleton was the story of the game. She went 7-of-13 from the field, with all seven of her threes converted (7-of-13 from deep), for 24 points at 81.3 percent true shooting with three steals and two blocks. Her seven three-pointers were the most of any player in Wednesday's six games. Carla Leite ran the offense masterfully, posting 20 points on 5-of-11 from the field (9-of-10 FT) with 10 assists and one turnover, a 10.0 assist-to-turnover ratio that was the best of the day. Her double-double (20 pts, 10 ast) was the most complete playmaking performance on the day's slate. Emily Engstler went 3-of-8 for nine points with five assists, two blocks, three offensive rebounds, and two steals. Portland's 17 three-pointers (7 from Carleton alone) on 40.5 percent shooting from deep was the engine of their 38.6 percent field goal night.

Seattle's Dominique Malonga delivered a monster effort in the final pool game: 12-of-19 from the field for 28 points at 64.7 percent true shooting with 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks, converting all four of her second-chance opportunities for eight second-chance points. It was the most efficient interior performance of the game. Natisha Hiedeman had 19 points (5-of-8 from three), and Flau'jae Johnson fouled out with five personal fouls despite eight points. Seattle's 0-of-6 Cup record reflects a tournament in which they were consistently outclassed, though Malonga's individual Cup showings were a legitimate bright spot in an otherwise difficult run.

POR 94 · SEA 89

Dallas Wings 80, Golden State Valkyries 91

Dallas looked like the better team for about 10 minutes. The Wings jumped out 26-17 and had every reason to feel good about their closing statement. Then Golden State went on a 27-7 second-quarter run that turned a nine-point deficit into a 10-point lead by halftime, and the game never recovered its competitive balance. Gabby Williams drove the surge, the bench poured in 43 points, and the Valkyries held on when Dallas pushed back in the third. Final: 91-80, Golden State closes pool play at 4-2 and Dallas finishes at 4-2 as well.

Gabby Williams was Golden State's best performer, going 7-of-16 from the field for 25 points at 58.7 percent true shooting, drawing seven fouls and going 9-of-12 from the line with four assists. She was at her best during the second-quarter run that flipped the game. Kaitlyn Chen came off the bench to shoot 7-of-10 from the field for 15 points at 71.8 percent true shooting with two assists, her most efficient offensive outing of the week. Kayla Thornton pulled down 11 rebounds with five second-chance points on three offensive boards. Golden State had 43 bench points, including Chen's 15, and Williams's 25. Burton had 11 points and eight rebounds with five assists. The Valkyries' biggest lead was 12 points and their 48 percent three-point shooting (12-of-25) was a significant driver of the second-quarter explosion.

Dallas's best night came from Arike Ogunbowale, who shot a perfect 3-of-3 from three for 21 points at 82.3 percent true shooting with three assists. Paige Bueckers had 15 points and eight assists with a 4.0 assist-to-turnover ratio, but shot just 38.5 percent from the field. Jessica Shepard had a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double on 53.8 percent shooting with four assists. Azzi Fudd went 4-of-13 from the field (2-of-5 from three) for 10 points with five steals but a minus-14 that reflected how thoroughly Golden State's second quarter swung the game. Dallas's zero second-chance points on two attempts reflected a complete failure to crash the offensive glass, a significant departure from their usual identity.

GSV 91 · DAL 80

Las Vegas Aces 86, Phoenix Mercury 76

Phoenix had the early lead and the crowd. A'ja Wilson had everything else. The Aces absorbed the Mercury's fast start, took control with a dominant defensive second half that generated 18 team steals and 28 points off Phoenix's 22 turnovers, and closed it out with a composure that only comes from knowing exactly who you are as a team. Las Vegas wins 86-76, secures the Western Conference Commissioner's Cup berth, and sets up a June 30 championship game against New York. The Aces close pool play at 6-1. Phoenix ends at 2-4.

A'ja Wilson was, once again, the defining player of the game. She went 11-of-20 from the field for 33 points with 10 rebounds, three assists, five steals, two blocks, and an efficiency score of 47. Her double-double included nine second-chance points on three perfect second-chance conversions, and her five steals headlined a Las Vegas defensive performance that generated 18 team steals in total and 28 points off Phoenix's turnovers. Wilson drew 10 fouls and went 11-of-13 from the free throw line. She has been the most dominant player in the Commissioner's Cup from start to finish, and Wednesday was the capstone performance that clinched the Aces' spot in the final. Jackie Young added 20 points on 7-of-15 from the field (4-of-8 from three) with nine assists and five steals, a 3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio, and 61.3 percent true shooting. NaLyssa Smith was the most efficient Ace on the night, going 8-of-10 from the field for 21 points at 77.7 percent true shooting with five rebounds and six fast-break points on three transition conversions.

Phoenix's best performance came from Kahleah Copper, who went 9-of-16 from the field for 26 points at 68.1 percent true shooting with 7-of-7 from the line. Jovana Nogic shot 4-of-7 from three for 12 points at 85.7 percent true shooting. But Alyssa Thomas had six turnovers against 11 assists, fouled out with five personals, and finished at minus-11 in a night where her productivity was constantly undermined by giveaways. Las Vegas converted Thomas's six turnovers alone into multiple fast-break points, and when she fouled out, Phoenix's playmaking quality dropped sharply. The Mercury's 22 turnovers were simply too many to overcome against a team that turns miscues into baskets as efficiently as the Aces do.

LVA 86 · PHO 76

Commissioner's Cup pool play is officially closed, and the final is set: Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty, June 30. Both teams earned their spots in decisive fashion. Las Vegas finished 6-1 in the West behind the most dominant individual Cup performance of any player this season. Wilson's tournament numbers are simply staggering, and the Aces head into the final as the team everyone should fear. New York finished 6-0 in the East, surviving their scariest game of the Cup by one point in Chicago behind Jones's clutch 19-point effort and Taylor's 24-point bench explosion for the other side. The Aces are the slight favorites given their record and Wilson's transcendence, but the Liberty enter having never trailed in points differential across pool play. June 30 cannot arrive fast enough.

Star of the Night: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

33 points | 11-of-20 FG | 11-of-13 FT | 10 rebounds | 5 steals | 2 blocks | 9 second-chance points | 10 fouls drawn | Efficiency score 47

Wilson has been the defining player of the entire Commissioner's Cup, and Wednesday was the defining performance of her tournament. Thirty-three points and a double-double with five steals in a clinching Cup win is a generational performance. The Aces are in the final because of Wilson. That is the sentence that describes this entire tournament.

Dud of the Night: Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury

10 points | 4-of-10 FG | 11 assists | 6 turnovers | 5 fouls | Foul out | minus-11 | 46.0% true shooting

Thomas moved the ball well enough to generate 11 assists, but six turnovers, five fouls, and a foul-out in a game where Phoenix trailed by double digits in the second half ended any chance of a Mercury upset. Las Vegas converted her turnovers into fast-break points repeatedly, and when she fouled out, Phoenix's offense lost its primary engine. The sum of the night was a player whose impact went negative at the precise moments Phoenix needed her most.