The Las Vegas Aces took the opening game of the WNBA Finals with a hard-fought 89–86 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night in Las Vegas. Backed by an unexpected spark from their bench, the defending champions proved they now have more than just star power—they have depth.
Dana Evans Shines Off the Bench
Guard Dana Evans delivered a career-defining performance, scoring 21 points on an outstanding 5-of-6 shooting from three, while adding four steals and three assists without a single turnover. Despite her size mismatch against Phoenix’s DeWanna Bonner, Evans used speed and precision to turn the game in Las Vegas’s favour.
Jewell Loyd also made her presence felt with 18 points off the bench, highlighting the Aces’ new strength: flexibility beyond their starting five.
Becky Hammon’s Tactical Shift
Head coach Becky Hammon showcased her adaptability by switching to a zone defense in the second half. This move slowed down Phoenix’s red-hot Kahleah Copper, who dominated the first half but struggled to find rhythm after the adjustment.
“It’s about trust,” MVP A’ja Wilson said. “Even though we don’t practice the zone much, we know our rules and trust each other to execute.”
Mercury’s Missed Chances
Despite Copper’s early scoring and a narrow fourth-quarter lead, the Mercury let opportunities slip away. Alyssa Thomas missed two crucial free throws in the final minute, and Phoenix’s last possession ended in a desperate heave after Kiah Stokes, subbed in cold for defense, locked down multiple matchups.
Phoenix head coach Nate Tibbetts admitted, “They mixed up their defense, and we didn’t handle it well.”
Atmosphere and Fan Energy
The Aces’ home crowd played a role throughout the game, with the “Miss Twice, Get a Slice” pizza promotion reaching peak volume when Thomas missed both free throws late. The atmosphere inside Michelob ULTRA Arena reflected a city hungry for another championship.
Looking Ahead to Game 2
Las Vegas has taken the early advantage in this best-of-five series, but the Mercury showed resilience and enough offensive firepower to keep things interesting. Game 2 promises another tactical battle between Hammon’s adjustments and Phoenix’s dynamic scorers.
Final Score:
Las Vegas Aces 89 – Phoenix Mercury 86
(Aces lead the series 1–0)
