LAS VEGAS (Oct. 5, 2025) – The Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury will clash again Sunday afternoon in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals (3 p.m. ET, ABC), the first best-of-seven championship series in league history. After a thrilling finish in Game 1, both teams enter with adjustments to make — the Aces seeking separation and the Mercury looking to steal one on the road to reclaim home-court advantage.

Las Vegas held on for another narrow win in Game 1, continuing a postseason trend of close calls. The defending champions are now 3-0 in playoff openers decided at the buzzer, surviving another late surge from a resilient Mercury squad. Historically, when winning Game 1, the Aces’ franchise is 8-2 in playoff series of at least three games, giving them a clear statistical edge.

But for the Mercury, Sunday presents an opportunity to reset the tone of the series — and potentially swing momentum before heading back to the desert.

Wilson Continues Her Dominance

A’ja Wilson’s postseason legend grew once again with a 21-point, 10-rebound performance in Game 1 — her 15th career playoff double-double of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, the most in WNBA playoff history. Only legends Tamika Catchings and Candace Parker (12 each) trail her on that list.

Wilson’s scoring run has been historic. She became just the third player to record consecutive 30-point games in a single postseason — joining Angel McCoughtry (2011) and Breanna Stewart (2020) — and the only player ever to do it multiple times. She previously accomplished the feat in both 2022 and 2023.

Wilson’s consistency has made her the centerpiece of a Las Vegas offense that continues to evolve under head coach Becky Hammon, who is chasing her third straight WNBA title.

Evans and Young Add Firepower

While Wilson anchors the paint, the Aces’ backcourt continues to deliver explosive performances. Dana Evans, acquired in the offseason, made WNBA Finals history in Game 1 by becoming the first player to record at least five 3-pointers and four steals in a Finals game. Evans’ two-way energy set the tone early and helped Las Vegas weather Phoenix’s late push.

Meanwhile, Jackie Young remains one of the league’s most efficient scorers. Her chemistry with Wilson is unmatched — the two became the first teammates in WNBA history to each score 30 points in a playoff game, combining for 67 in the semifinals against Indiana. Young’s offensive confidence, paired with Chelsea Gray’s playmaking and Jewell Loyd’s veteran stability, gives Las Vegas one of the deepest scoring cores in Finals history.

Mercury Searching for Adjustments

For Phoenix, head coach Nate Tibbetts knows his team needs to respond physically and mentally after letting Game 1 slip away. The Mercury’s frontcourt struggled to contain Wilson, while Las Vegas’ perimeter shooting opened up space in the paint.

Expect the Mercury to emphasize interior defense and rebounding while leaning on veterans DeWanna Bonner, Kahleah Copper, and Sami Whitcomb — all WNBA champions with big-game experience. Offensively, Phoenix must find secondary scoring options to complement Copper’s slashing ability and Whitcomb’s outside shooting.

Bonner, a two-time champion, understands the urgency. “You don’t want to go down 0-2 against this team,” she said postgame. “We know what it takes to respond — it’s about setting the tone early and keeping pressure on them for four quarters.”

Championship Pedigree on Display

Few Finals matchups feature this much collective championship experience. The Aces’ roster boasts 14 total rings among seven players, led by Chelsea Gray (3), A’ja Wilson (2), and Jackie Young (2). The Mercury counter with veterans who have been here before — Bonner (2), Copper (1), and Whitcomb (2) — setting up a chess match between two battle-tested squads.

Adding intrigue is the South Dakota connection between head coaches Hammon and Tibbetts, both natives of the state with deep basketball roots and NBA experience. Their shared history adds a personal subplot to an already compelling Finals series.

What to Expect in Game 2

Game 2 will test Phoenix’s ability to respond under pressure and Las Vegas’ capacity to close games more cleanly. The Mercury must limit second-chance points and contain Wilson’s inside dominance, while the Aces will look to push tempo and capitalize on turnovers.

Las Vegas holds the edge in star power and playoff rhythm, but Phoenix has the toughness and veteran savvy to even the series before heading home.

Prediction: Las Vegas 87, Phoenix 80 — Aces take a 2-0 series lead behind another dominant A’ja Wilson performance.