Aces Dominate Mercury to Take 2-0 Lead in WNBA Finals

The Las Vegas Aces have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the WNBA Finals after a dramatic 82-72 win over the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3, played in front of a roaring crowd in Phoenix, Arizona. With the series now teetering on the edge, the Aces are just one step away from claiming the championship, while the Mercury find themselves with their backs against the wall, desperate to spark a comeback. From the opening tip, the Las Vegas Aces asserted their dominance, building an early double-digit lead. Yet, the Phoenix Mercury, fueled by the energy of their home fans, stormed back with a 13-0 run, tying the game and setting the stage for a tense battle. The contest ebbed and flowed, both teams trading blows, but in the final minutes it was A’ja Wilson who once again rose to the occasion. Wilson, the Aces’ superstar, delivered a masterful performance, pouring in 32 points on 10-of-19 shooting and snatching 14 rebounds. With every clutch basket in the fourth quarter, Wilson seemed to will her team closer to the title, cementing her status as one of the league’s brightest stars. Phoenix, led by the relentless Satou Sabally who tallied 24 points and 5 assists, and the all-around brilliance of Alyssa Thomas (14 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists), fought valiantly to keep their championship dreams alive. Thomas, renowned for her playoff heroics, was expected to have a breakout performance to rescue the Mercury, and she delivered a near triple-double. But the Aces’ depth and poise under pressure proved too much to overcome. Jackie Young added 17 points and 9 assists for Las Vegas, while Chelsea Gray orchestrated the offense with precision. The Aces shot an impressive 41.9% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc, while dominating the glass with a 34-29 rebounding edge. The Mercury struggled to find consistent offense outside of Sabally and Thomas, and costly turnovers (12 to the Aces’ 8) hampered their comeback hopes. This Finals marks a historic moment for the WNBA — it’s the first time the championship is decided in a best-of-seven format, raising the stakes and the drama to new heights. The Mercury, who boasted an 18-8 home record in the regular season, must summon every ounce of resilience to avoid falling into an insurmountable 0-3 hole. But the Aces, having now won their last five games in Phoenix, appear unstoppable, riding the wave of momentum and the brilliance of Wilson. With Game 4 looming, all eyes turn to Phoenix: will the Mercury reignite their season, or will the Aces seize their moment of destiny? For live scores, highlights, and updated stats, check out Aces vs. Mercury (Oct 8, 2025) Live Score and follow the action on Las Vegas Aces Twitter. For more detailed game coverage and predictions, visit Aces vs Mercury Predictions, Picks & Odds.