Alyssa Thomas Calls Out Refs for Favoring A’ja Wilson in WNBA Finals Game 1 Defeat..
In the wake of the Las Vegas Aces’ narrow victory over the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Finals, forward Alyssa Thomas voiced strong dissatisfaction with the officiating, labeling it a “strange special whistle” favoring A’ja Wilson. The Aces edged out the Mercury in a tightly contested opener on October 3, where controversial calls—or lack thereof—sparked debate amid the league’s ongoing scrutiny of referees.<
Thomas, a triple-double threat who tallied 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, highlighted perceived biases that allowed Wilson to dominate without commensurate fouls. “It’s like they have a special whistle for her,” Thomas reportedly fumed postgame, echoing broader playoff frustrations where physicality has overshadowed play. The Mercury’s turnovers, including five from Thomas, proved costly, yielding 20 points for Las Vegas, but she pinned much blame on inconsistent whistles that let contact go unpunished.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed officiating concerns pre-game, amid a postseason rife with ejections and rants from coaches like Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve.
As the series shifts to Game 2 on Sunday, Thomas urged better accountability to ensure fair competition. The Finals, now best-of-seven, pit Wilson’s MVP prowess against Phoenix’s resilient core, but referee equity remains the wildcard. Fans and analysts alike await if the league will tighten standards to match the stars’ intensity. (198 words)
