Aces Take Game One in Thrilling finals Opener
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In a gritty game one which saw the score stay tight the entire four quarters, the Las Vegas Aces pulled out the win, 89-86 and moved to 1-0 in the seven game series.
winning game one is crucial in the Finals as the team that wins has historically gone on to win the championship.in 20 out of the last 28 Finals, the game one winner has taken the title, the most recent notable exceptions: 2024 Minnesota Lynx and 2017 Los Angeles Sparks.
Aces Led by Well Rounded Offense and Spark off the Bench
The four time MVP A’ja Wilson contributed 21 points, 1o rebounds, and five assists in the win. Guards Jackie Young and Chelsea gray both battled potential injuries in the game and had to be tended to by the medial staff which perhaps resulted in quieter nights with 10 and eight points respectively.
For the Aces Dana Evans and Jewell loyd were the x factors off the bench. In the fourth quarter with just over three minutes remaining, Evans made her fifth three pointer and finished the game with 21 points. Additionally, Loyd contributed 18 points, 8-for-15 from the field and 2-for-6 from beyond the arc.
Aces defeat Mercury in Thrilling Game One of WNBA Finals
The Las Vegas aces defeated the Phoenix mercury 89-86 in a nail-biting Game One of the 2025 WNBA Finals on October 3rd. The game, played at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, saw a back-and-forth battle with several lead changes.
first Half Recap
The Mercury came out strong, led by a dominant performance from Brittney Griner. She scored 18 of her 26 total points in the first half, helping Phoenix build a six-point lead. However, the aces responded with balanced scoring from Chelsea Gray and A’ja Wilson, keeping the game close.
second Half Surge
The Aces made key adjustments in the second half, particularly switching to a zone defense.This disrupted the Mercury’s offense and allowed Las Vegas to gain momentum. Kahleah Copper, who struggled with her shot throughout the game, finally found her rhythm in the fourth quarter, scoring crucial points down the stretch.
Final Minutes
With the score tied at 86, Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi missed a potential go-ahead jumper. Chelsea Gray was then fouled and made one of two free throws, giving the Aces an 87-86 lead. After another missed shot by Thomas, Young stepped to the line and calmly sank both free throws to extend the lead to 89-86 with 13.5 seconds remaining.Phoenix had one last chance, but Satou Sabally’s three-point attempt was off the mark thanks to strong defense from the Aces, securing the win for Las Vegas.
Post Game One Reflections
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 03: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on in the first quarter of Game One of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals against the Las Vegas Aces at michelob ULTRA Arena on October 03, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,by downloading and or using this photograph,User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
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In the post-game press conference,Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts acknowledged that the Las Vegas Aces’ second-half adjustments were effective. He said, “They went zone and they kind of made us stand a little bit. I thought we had some good looks, but give them credit for mixing up their defense. I thought it was a good adjustment but we didn’t handle it well and that was part of the reason that Kah [Kahleah Copper] didn’t get going.”