Late-Game Comeback Seals Aces’ Game 1 Win
In a tense Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Finals, the Las Vegas Aces built a late lead and held on to beat the Phoenix Mercury. The sequence that decided the game came down to the final 30 seconds, when Alyssa Thomas forced a steal and drew a foul, but missed both free throws, leaving Phoenix with a chance to steal. Mercury fouled Jackie Young, who calmly knocked down both free throws to push the lead to three, and Phoenix’s final possession ended in a chaotic turnover as the Aces held on.
Stars Carry Aces in a Balanced Effort
A’ja Wilson led the way for Las Vegas with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, anchoring the Aces on both ends of the floor. The bench provided a huge boost, too, with Dana Evans scoring 21 points and Jewell Loyd adding 18. Evans and Loyd became the fifth pair in Finals history to each score at least 15 points off the bench in the same game.
Mercury’s Hot Start, Late Offense Stalls
Phoenix opened strong from beyond the arc and built an early cushion, but the offense faltered in the second half. The Mercury managed just 15 points in the fourth quarter on 6-for-16 shooting, a stretch that proved costly in a game decided in the final minutes.
What It Means for the Series
The Aces take a 1-0 series lead, setting the tone for a short, intense best-of-five Finals. Las Vegas showed depth and poise, especially in crunch time, while Phoenix will look to tighten the defense and rekindle its late-game offensive flow in Game 2.
Game 2 on the Horizon
Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas. The Aces will attempt to ride the momentum of their Game 1 victory, while the Mercury seek a bounce-back performance to even the series.
