Aces Triumph Over Mercury in Thrilling 84-81 WNBA Finals Opener

The opening game of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena set the stage for a desert showdown that crackled with tension, drama, and history. The Las Vegas Aces, the league’s reigning titans, clashed with the surging Phoenix Mercury, each team hungry for the crown, every possession pulsing with consequence. The Aces edged out an 84-81 victory, but the night was so much more than the final score: it was a high-wire act from the opening tip to the final, defiant buzzer. It was A’ja Wilson who once again cemented her legacy. With 26 points and 18 rebounds, she seized control in the clutch, sinking the decisive basket with just 22 seconds left—a moment that reverberated through the roaring Las Vegas crowd. The Mercury, led by the relentless Kahleah Copper and powered by a new era’s Big Three of Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally, fought with the spirit of underdogs unburdened by expectation. Yet, Wilson’s star burned too brightly to be eclipsed. The matchup had been foreshadowed all season. The Aces, chasing their third title in four years, had dominated the regular season series, winning three of four meetings—including two as part of their sizzling 16-game winning streak. The Mercury’s lone win came in June, when Wilson was sidelined, but now, on the game’s grandest stage, all bets were off. Phoenix, back in the Finals for the first time since 2021, unveiled a revamped lineup, embracing the future after the iconic Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner era. Early on, the Mercury flexed their size advantage, racing to an eight-point lead in the first quarter as Sabally and Thomas powered the offense. But Las Vegas, battle-tested and unflappable, methodically clawed back. Jewell Loyd’s electrifying drives, Chelsea Gray’s steady hand at the point, and the defensive tenacity of Jackie Young and Kiah Stokes turned the tide. By the end of the first quarter, the teams were knotted at 21—a harbinger of the dogfight to come. Phoenix’s dynamic offense, ranked seventh in the league, leaned heavily on transition play and three-point shooting. Yet the Aces’ defense, anchored by Wilson’s shot-blocking prowess and Young’s gritty perimeter coverage, stifled the Mercury’s rhythm. Whenever Satou Sabally tried to exploit her size in the post, Las Vegas responded with quick double teams and relentless physicality, daring the Mercury to beat them from outside. For the Aces, experience was their secret weapon. Five players from their back-to-back championship runs returned, and coach Becky Hammon’s veteran leadership kept the squad poised in every tense moment. But the Mercury, with the league’s deepest bench and a fearless approach, countered with key contributions from DeWanna Bonner and Sami Whitcomb—veterans whose late-game heroics had fueled Phoenix’s postseason surge. As the fourth quarter ticked down, the drama reached a fever pitch. Both teams traded blows, the lead changing hands as stars rose to the moment. In the final minute, Wilson’s steely composure delivered the go-ahead basket, and the Aces’ defense withstood Phoenix’s desperate last stand. The win, narrow and hard-fought, underscored just how evenly matched these teams are—and how electrifying this Finals series promises to be. Off the court, the backdrop was just as charged. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed league controversies, including Napheesa Collier’s pointed comments about leadership and Caitlin Clark’s stardom, reminding everyone that the eyes of the basketball world were fixed on this moment. Jewell Loyd debuted a new Matrix-inspired shoe—a symbol of individuality and resilience, celebrating both her and Wilson’s journeys with dyslexia. As the series continues, all eyes will remain on Wilson, whose dominance demands the Mercury’s full attention. Yet, Phoenix’s versatility, depth, and late-game execution keep them dangerous. With the Aces a win up but every game a new battle, this Finals isn’t just a championship clash—it’s a collision of eras, legacies, and the unyielding spirit of the WNBA. For more in-depth coverage, follow the live analysis from The Athletic’s WNBA team, and stay tuned for updates as this unforgettable Finals series unfolds.