Wilson, Evans Lead Aces Past Mercury 89-86 in WNBA Finals Opener/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Las Vegas Aces edged the Phoenix Mercury 89–86 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals behind A’ja Wilson and Dana Evans, who scored 21 points each. A late defensive switch to a zone defense helped the Aces rally from behind as Phoenix’s offense cooled in the final minutes. The best-of-seven series continues Sunday in Las Vegas.
“Aces vs. Mercury Finals Game 1 Quick Looks”
- Final score: Aces 89, Mercury 86
- Top scorers: Wilson and Evans (21 points each)
- Game-changer: Fourth-quarter zone defense slowed Phoenix
- Key play: Satou Sabally missed tying 3-pointer with two seconds left
- Next game: Game 2 on Sunday in Las Vegas
- Series: Aces lead 1–0 in best-of-seven Finals
Wilson, Evans Lead Aces Past Mercury 89-86 in WNBA Finals Opener
Deep Look
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces turned to a strategy they’d barely practiced — a fourth-quarter zone defense — and it worked to perfection. Behind A’ja Wilson’s dominance down the stretch and Dana Evans’ spark off the bench, the Aces rallied to take Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, beating the Phoenix Mercury 89–86 on Friday night.
Wilson and Evans each scored 21 points, with Wilson adding 10 rebounds and Evans becoming the first player in Finals history to record five 3-pointers and four steals in a single game.
Phoenix’s Satou Sabally missed a long potential game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds, sealing the Aces’ comeback victory.
“I was seeing them score too much against our man defense,” said Aces coach Becky Hammon, explaining the defensive shift. “So we tried something different — keep them out of the middle and fan out to the shooters. It made a huge difference.”
The change was decisive. After shooting over 52% through three quarters — including 50% from beyond the arc — the Mercury managed only 6-of-18 shooting in the final period and just 2-of-12 from three-point range.
Wilson and Evans Dominate
Wilson once again showed why she’s the reigning WNBA MVP, scoring 12 of her 21 points in the final 14 minutes.
Meanwhile, Evans energized the Aces’ second unit, which outscored Phoenix’s bench 41–16.
“Dana’s our battery,” Wilson said. “She makes us play faster, harder. I told her, ‘We go as you go.’ She’s unstoppable right now.”
Jewell Loyd added 18 points off the bench, while Jackie Young chipped in 10 points and Chelsea Gray dished 10 assists.
Mercury’s Early Momentum Fizzles Late
For Phoenix, Kahleah Copper led the way with 21 points, including 19 in the first half, when she caught fire from deep — hitting five 3-pointers, the most she’s ever made in a playoff game.
Sabally added 19 points, and Alyssa Thomas came close to a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.
Despite the loss, Phoenix showed its resilience. The Mercury led multiple times, only for Las Vegas to counter with crucial runs in the closing minutes.
“It’s going to be a great series,” said Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts. “Every game is going to come down to the last few possessions.”
Clutch Plays Decide Game 1
The tension was palpable in the final moments.
With the Aces up 87–86, Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas missed two free throws that could have given her team the lead. On the next possession, Jackie Young was fouled and calmly sank both shots, pushing the lead to three.
Phoenix still had one last chance, but Sabally’s deep 3-point attempt clanged off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
Hammon pumped her fist as the Aces bench erupted in celebration, knowing how critical it was to hold home court in the opening game of the first-ever best-of-seven WNBA Finals.
Aces Eye Third Title in Four Years
The defending champions are chasing their third WNBA title in four seasons, while Phoenix is looking to tie the league record with four championships.
Game 2, set for Sunday in Las Vegas, could either push the Aces closer to another dynasty moment or give Phoenix a crucial chance to reset the series.
Phoenix has overcome slow starts before — the Mercury dropped Game 1 in both earlier playoff rounds before rallying to eliminate defending champion New York and top-seeded Minnesota.
“We’ll go through our mistakes, fix what we can, and come back Sunday to win this game,” Sabally said.
With both teams trading blows and stars rising to the occasion, this 2025 Finals matchup already looks like one for the ages.
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