Mercury vs Aces: Las Vegas Aces rallied to beat the Phoenix Mercury 89–86 in Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Finals — reserve guard Dana Evans and MVP A’ja Wilson scored 21 each while the Aces’ bench changed the game. Full match recap, player stats, tactical analysis, broadcast info, and what to expect next. (Keywords: Mercury vs Aces, Aces vs Mercury, Dana Evans, Las Vegas Aces, A’ja Wilson, Phoenix Mercury, Aces WNBA, Phoenix Mercury vs Las Vegas Aces Match Player Stats.)
Quick headline (one line)
The Las Vegas Aces came from behind to take Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, beating the Phoenix Mercury 89–86 behind 21-point nights from Dana Evans and A’ja Wilson.
What this article covers
- Full Game 1 recap (key plays & turning points)
- Player-by-player box highlights: Dana Evans, A’ja Wilson, Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper, Becky Hammon coaching notes
- Tactical analysis: why the Aces’ bench was decisive and how Phoenix lost control late
- Where to watch Game 2 and series schedule
- Authoritative sources to follow and suggested further reading
- Meta details and a feature-image concept for publishing
The short recap — what happened (load-bearing facts)
The Las Vegas Aces erased a late deficit with a decisive 17–6 fourth-quarter run and edged the Phoenix Mercury 89–86 in Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Finals. Reserve guard Dana Evans and star A’ja Wilson led the charge with 21 points each; Evans’ scoring burst and the bench’s energy (the Aces’ reserves outscored Phoenix’s 41–16) were the difference. The Mercury led for much of the night, propelled by Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas, but Phoenix’s fouls and missed free throws down the stretch cost them the opener.
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Game 1 timeline & key moments
First half — Mercury control tempo
Phoenix opened aggressively, feeding their newly formed core and using Alyssa Thomas to craft mismatches inside-out. The Mercury’s ball movement and Sabally’s scoring kept them in front for the majority of the first half. Phoenix’s offense looked cohesive, generating high-value looks at the rim and from midrange.
Third quarter — Aces claw back
Las Vegas began chipping away in the third quarter. Coach Becky Hammon leaned on rotations that mixed veteran starters and trusted bench pieces; the Aces found looks through Wilson’s post presence and quick-hitting guard play. The game stayed tight, setting up a dramatic final frame.
Fourth quarter — bench sparks and a decisive run
The Aces flipped the script with a 17–6 fourth-quarter run sparked by Dana Evans (five three-pointers on the night) and backed by Jewell Loyd’s late-game scoring and Chelsea Gray’s orchestration. Las Vegas’ bench outscored Phoenix’s reserves by 25 points — a margin that proved decisive in a tight finals opener. Phoenix’s Satou Sabally was saddled with foul trouble (including a fifth foul) and the Mercury missed key free throws in the final minute, allowing Las Vegas to finish strong. The Aces closed the game on possession and defense to secure the 89–86 win.
Key player performances & match player stats
Las Vegas Aces
- Dana Evans (G) — 21 points, including five three-pointers, plus steals and hustle plays off the bench. Evans’ efficient scoring and defensive activity earned her a finals-opening “battery” label from teammates.
- A’ja Wilson (F/C) — 21 points, 10 rebounds (game-high performance and a steady inside presence). Wilson’s ability to score inside and rebound gave Las Vegas consistent looks and late offensive possessions.
- Jewell Loyd (G) — 18 points — timely veteran scoring in her Finals debut with the Aces.
- Chelsea Gray (G) — double-digit assists (game manager) and late-game facilitation were crucial to the comeback.
Phoenix Mercury
- Satou Sabally (F) — 19 points, but foul trouble (fouled out late) limited her fourth-quarter impact. Sabally’s scoring earlier in the night kept Phoenix in front.
- Kahleah Copper (G/F) — 21 points — Copper hit big shots and carried much of Phoenix’s perimeter scoring load.
- Alyssa Thomas (F) — contributed across the stat sheet; her playmaking and rebounding anchored Phoenix’s looks, despite the Mercury falling short in late free throws. Thomas’ season has included historic triple-double production and she remained a primary facilitator.
(Full official boxscore and minute-by-minute stats are available on ESPN and the WNBA official game page.)
Tactical analysis — why the Aces won and what Phoenix must fix
1) Bench & Depth: the deciding factor
The Aces’ reserves (led by Dana Evans and Jewell Loyd) produced an offensive burst Phoenix couldn’t match; Las Vegas’s bench outscoring Phoenix’s bench by a huge margin (reported 41–16) shifted expected minutes into high-value points and energy. That depth gap is often the difference in playoff basketball, where fatigue and matchup juggling matter most.
2) Defensive sequence adjustments
Coach Becky Hammon’s late-game adjustments — including zone looks and pressure on Phoenix ball-handlers — forced tighter shots and created turnovers. The Aces had practiced a zone look in limited minutes but used it effectively in the fourth to clog driving lanes and force contested jumpers. Phoenix’s reliance on Sabally and Thomas became riskier when Sabally collected fouls.
3) Free-throws & late execution
The Mercury missed critical free throws in the final minute, and Sabally’s foul trouble curtailed one of their primary scoring weapons down the stretch. In finals basketball, free-throw efficiency and foul management are tiny edges with huge consequences. Phoenix must tighten late-game execution, particularly in free-throw situations and foul avoidance.
Jewell Loyd was hot from start to finish in the @LVAces‘ victory over the Phoenix Mercury 👏
She recorded 18 PTS & 4 REB while shooting 50% from the field.
Her contributions helped the Aces win Game 1 in the first ever best of 7 series!#WelcometotheW | WNBA Finals |… pic.twitter.com/Z5HFSO2B7l
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2025
Coach notebook — Becky Hammon vs. Mercury staff
- Becky Hammon (Aces) — her rotations and willingness to trust bench players in late-game situations paid off; Hammon’s decision to diversify offensive sets and introduce zone at a critical juncture highlights adaptive coaching in finals pressure.
- Mercury coaching staff — the team’s handling of Sabally’s minutes and foul exposure will be a review item; offensive balance beyond primary scorers (Thomas/Copper/Sabally) needs reinforcement to survive against Las Vegas’ depth.
The series picture — how Game 1 shapes the Finals
Game 1 is always pivotal: it sets tone, confidence and home-court momentum. The Aces’ road victory gives Las Vegas immediate edge and forces Phoenix to respond without margin for error. However, the Finals are long (2025 marks the first best-of-seven WNBA Finals), and one close loss is recoverable — but the Mercury must shore up bench scoring and closeout execution to avoid falling behind in the series.
Where to watch Game 2 & the Finals schedule
- Game 2: Scheduled for Sunday (local time) in Las Vegas; check local listings and national broadcast windows (ESPN/ABC/Meta partners depending on regional rights).
- How to follow: Live updates, video highlights, and box scores: ESPN, WNBA.com, CBS Sports. For streaming, consult the league’s official broadcast partners in your country.