News Summary
The Las Vegas Aces claimed a thrilling 1-0 lead over the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals with an 89-86 victory. A’ja Wilson and Dana Evans each scored 21 points, while the Aces outperformed the Mercury’s bench significantly. Despite a close contest with numerous lead changes, crucial free throws and strategic adjustments allowed the Aces to maintain their edge. Game 2 is set for Sunday, promising to build on this historic Finals series.
Las Vegas – The Las Vegas Aces took a decisive 1-0 lead in the 2025 WNBA Finals with a narrow victory over the Phoenix Mercury, ending the game with an 89-86 score on Friday night. The Aces’ standout players, A’ja Wilson and Dana Evans, each contributed 21 points to the win, with Wilson making a significant impact by scoring 12 of her points in the game’s final 14 minutes. The tight contest saw multiple lead changes and featured a nail-biting finish, with Mercury’s Satou Sabally missing a potential game-tying three-pointer in the last seconds of the match.
The Aces dominated their bench performance, outscoring the Mercury’s reserves 41-16, a crucial factor that contributed to their win. Alongside Wilson and Evans, Jewell Loyd also had a productive night, putting up 18 points. Jackie Young rounded out the scoring for Las Vegas with 10 points. On the other end, the Mercury’s leading scorer was Kahleah Copper, who matched Wilson and Evans’ high output with 21 points. The team also saw contributions from Sabally, who scored 19 points, and Alyssa Thomas, who added 15 points and nearly achieved a triple-double with 10 rebounds and nine assists.
The game showcased intense competition with a total of 12 lead changes and nine ties, with the largest lead being nine points in favor of the Aces. In a critical moment, Mercury’s Thomas missed two vital free throws that would have brought them closer to leveling the score, while Aces’ Young capitalized on this opportunity to extend their lead with successful free throws.
Following halftime, the Aces implemented a strategic switch to zone defense, proving beneficial as they limited the Mercury to just 15 points in the fourth quarter, contrasting sharply with the first half’s pace. Even though Phoenix had a slightly better shooting performance from three-point range, scoring 39% to the Aces’ 33%, their 14 turnovers, including five by Thomas, were detrimental to their chances. Notably, the Aces set a record for the fewest turnovers (seven) ever recorded by a Finals team.
The outcome of this game solidifies the Aces’ home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series, marking a historic moment in WNBA history as it is the first time a Finals series is being contested under this format. Game 2 is slated for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted live on ABC.
The Aces’ success in Game 1 puts them in a favorable position as they pursue their aspirations in the finals. The combination of stellar performances from their top players and strategic adjustments may play a pivotal role in their pursuit of securing the championship title.
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Additional Resources
- ESPN: WNBA Finals Game 1 Live Tracker
- USA Today: WNBA Finals Game 1 Highlights
- Bloomberg: WNBA Finals Overshadowed by Labor Dispute
- CNN: Commissioner Addresses Criticism in WNBA Finals
- Washington Post: WNBA Finals Aces vs. Mercury
- Wikipedia: WNBA Finals
- Google Search: WNBA playoffs 2025
- Google Scholar: WNBA 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: WNBA
- Google News: WNBA Finals
Author: STAFF HERE LAS VEGAS WRITER
LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER The LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELasVegas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Las Vegas, Clark County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Electric Daisy Carnival, World Series of Poker, and Consumer Electronics Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Three Square Food Bank, plus leading businesses in hospitality and entertainment that power the local economy such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Nevada's dynamic landscape.
