LAS VEGAS (Oct. 5, 2025) – The Las Vegas Aces are halfway to another WNBA championship, and this time, they’re doing it with a statement. Behind a historic performance from Jackie Young, the Aces overpowered the Phoenix Mercury 91-78 on Sunday afternoon in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the league’s first-ever best-of-seven championship series.
Young erupted for a WNBA Finals record 21 points in the third quarter, sparking a surge that turned a competitive game into a showcase of Las Vegas dominance. The All-Star guard finished with 31 points, six rebounds, and four assists, delivering arguably the finest performance of her playoff career.
“She was unconscious,” head coach Becky Hammon said of Young. “When Jackie gets into that rhythm, there’s not much a defense can do. Her energy and confidence lifted everyone in the building.”
The Aces, who have now won six straight postseason games, can sweep the series with a win in Phoenix on Wednesday.
Young’s Historic Third Quarter
The third period was all Jackie Young. With the Aces leading 46-43 at halftime, the former No. 1 overall pick caught fire, hitting jumpers from every angle and relentlessly attacking the Mercury defense. She scored 21 of Las Vegas’ 28 points in the quarter, breaking the previous WNBA Finals single-quarter scoring record of 18 set by Breanna Stewart in 2020.
Her explosion ignited the home crowd and turned a tight contest into a double-digit lead that Las Vegas never surrendered.
“I just wanted to stay aggressive,” Young said postgame. “My teammates kept finding me in spots where I could be effective, and once a few went in, I just kept shooting. We’re locked in on finishing this the right way.”
By the end of the quarter, the Aces led 74-62 and had the Mercury on their heels.
Wilson Steady as Ever
While Young stole the spotlight, A’ja Wilson continued her dominant postseason run, finishing with 25 points and 12 rebounds for her 16th career playoff double-double. The two-time MVP set the tone early, scoring 12 points in the first half and anchoring the Aces’ defense in the paint.
Wilson’s production has been remarkably consistent — she has scored at least 20 points in every playoff game this postseason and is averaging over 30 points across her last four.
“We feed off A’ja’s presence,” Hammon said. “Her composure allows everyone else to play free. She’s the rock of this team.”
Mercury Fight, But Fade Late
The Phoenix Mercury showed fight throughout the first half, trading baskets with the Aces and briefly holding a lead in the second quarter. Kahleah Copper led Phoenix with 24 points, while DeWanna Bonner added 18. But once Young caught fire in the third, the Mercury struggled to respond defensively.
Phoenix was again undone by turnovers — committing 16 on the night — which the Aces converted into 23 points. The Mercury also allowed 40 points in the paint, failing to contain Wilson and Kiah Stokes on the glass.
“We competed, but our defense let us down,” said Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts. “You can’t give up that many easy looks to a team like Las Vegas and expect to win. We’ve got to regroup and protect our home court.”
Championship Experience Shows
The Aces’ championship pedigree was evident from start to finish. Veterans Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd combined for 23 points and orchestrated the offense with precision, while Dana Evans, who set a Finals record with five 3-pointers in Game 1, hit two more from deep in Game 2 to keep the Mercury defense spread thin.
The win improved Las Vegas’ home postseason record to 13-2 since 2022, and the Aces have now scored at least 85 points in nine of their last ten playoff games.
“We take pride in defending home court,” Wilson said. “But this series isn’t over. We know Phoenix is going to come out with fire next game, and we have to be ready.”
What’s Next
The series shifts to Phoenix for Game 3 on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) as the Mercury look to avoid a 3-0 hole. For the Aces, it’s an opportunity to move one step closer to a historic third consecutive WNBA title.
If Jackie Young’s record-breaking performance is any indication, the Aces are not just chasing history — they’re rewriting it.
Final Score: Las Vegas Aces 91, Phoenix Mercury 78
Series: Las Vegas leads 2-0
