Las Vegas Aces Take WNBA Finals Game One Over Phoenix Mercury
In a thrilling matchup that went down to the wire, the Las Vegas Aces emerged victorious in Game One of the WNBA Finals, defeating the Phoenix Mercury 89-86 at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 3. The win gives the Aces a crucial advantage in the best-of-seven series.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to gain more than a five-point lead throughout the four quarters. The Aces' Dana Evans led the charge, scoring 24 points and hitting three crucial three-pointers in the fourth quarter to seal the win. "We knew it was going to be a tough game," said Evans in a post-game interview. "But we stayed focused and played for each other."
The Aces' victory marks their first WNBA Finals appearance since 2019, when they lost to the Washington Mystics. This year's team is led by head coach Becky Hammon, who has been instrumental in shaping the team's strategy and player development.
The Mercury, on the other hand, were seeking their second WNBA championship after winning it all in 2022. They were led by Brittney Griner, who scored a game-high 28 points but couldn't quite overcome the Aces' strong defense.
Historically, the team that wins Game One of the WNBA Finals has gone on to win the championship 20 out of the last 28 times. The most recent notable exceptions were the Minnesota Lynx in 2024 and the Seattle Storm in 2018.
The series now shifts to Phoenix for Game Two, which is scheduled for October 5 at Footprint Center. The Aces will look to build on their momentum and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. "We're excited to get back home and play in front of our fans," said Hammon. "But we know the Mercury are going to come out strong, so we'll need to be ready."
The WNBA Finals will continue to captivate audiences with its high-flying action, thrilling finishes, and inspiring storylines. As the series unfolds, one thing is certain: only one team can emerge victorious.
Box Score
Las Vegas Aces: 89 points
+ Dana Evans (24)
+ Kelsey Plum (20)
+ A'ja Wilson (17)
Phoenix Mercury: 86 points
+ Brittney Griner (28)
+ Diana Taurasi (22)
+ Kia Vaughn (15)
Notes
The game was played in front of a sold-out crowd at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
The Aces' victory marked their first win over the Mercury this season, with the two teams splitting their regular-season matchups 2-2.
*Reporting by Forbes.*
