The 2025 WNBA Finals got off to a thrilling start on Friday night, as the Las Vegas Aces came back from a nine-point deficit, then held on for an 89-86 win over the Phoenix Mercury to take a 1-0 lead in this best-of-seven series.
Early on, it was all Mercury, as they jumped out to an early lead and controlled the majority of the first half. Kahleah Copper tied a Finals record with five 3-pointers in the first half, and Alyssa Thomas was wreaking havoc in the paint with her scoring and playmaking.
The Mercury threatened to pull away at various points, including late in the third quarter when they built a nine-point lead, but the Aces refused to go away. The home team kept plugging along, thanks in large part to Dana Evans (21 points) and Jewell Loyd (18 points), who provided a major boost off the bench.
After shooting the ball extremely well through the first three quarters, the Mercury went ice cold in the fourth and the Aces’ steadiness allowed them to take the lead. They went ahead for good on a 3-pointer by Evans with 3:40 remaining, and built a five-point lead with 2:41 remaining.
The Mercury have been the comeback queens in the postseason, and tried to pull off another one on Friday, but ultimately came up short. Alyssa Thomas scored with less than a minute to play to cut the deficit to one, then stole the ball from A’ja Wilson and drew a foul. She went to the line with the chance to take the lead with less than 30 seconds left, but missed both free throws.
After Jackie Young hit two free throws of her own to push the Aces’ advantage back up to three, the Mercury still had time to tie the game, or extend it with a quick two. Instead, they had a disastrous final possession, which ended with a prayer from Satou Sabally that didn’t come close.
Wilson finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while Chelsea Gray added eight points, seven rebounds and 10 assists. The two difference-makers for the Aces were Evans and Loyd, who combined for 39 points and outscored the Mercury’s bench by themselves.
Copper did not make a 3 in the second half and finished with 21 points, while Thomas just missed a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Thomas also appeared to injure her left hand late in the fourth quarter, but Mercury coach Nate Tibbets did not have an update.
Game 2 is set for Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.
