Aces Secure Game 1 Victory Over Mercury in WNBA Finals
Las Vegas opened its quest for a third WNBA title in four years with a hard-fought 91-86 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1 of the Finals on Friday. The Aces overcame a sluggish start and a competitive Mercury squad, fueled by a meaningful contribution from their bench.
Aces head coach Becky Hammon highlighted the importance of her team’s depth, stating, “That’s what makes us a arduous team. It’s as we do have that potential for somebody else to come up and get 20, not just (A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray), but multiple options. they were timely today. Oh my goodness, our bench was huge.” The Las Vegas reserves outscored their Phoenix counterparts 41-16.
Hammon strategically tasked Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray with involving bench players dana Evans and kierstan Loyd. Despite a slight dip in her regular season numbers, Loyd is a proven scorer, having averaged nearly 20 points per game just last year. Evans, nicknamed “Gears” by Hammon for her ability to alter the game’s tempo, proved notably impactful.
A’ja Wilson offered her own assessment of Evans’ role, calling her “Dana’s our battery. She makes us play at a different pace.I tell her we go as she goes.”
Wilson herself contributed a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds, despite Hammon noting she appeared somewhat fatigued. A key defensive adjustment in the fourth quarter also proved crucial, as the Aces limited the Mercury to just 15 points on 33.3% shooting, switching to a 2-3 zone to close gaps in the middle.
The game remained close until the final moments. Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas had a chance to put the Mercury ahead with two free throws with 24.6 seconds remaining, but missed both attempts. The aces capitalized on the chance.
Thomas finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, narrowly missing a triple-double. Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally led Phoenix in scoring with 21 and 19 points, respectively, but the game ultimately hinged on the Aces’ bench performance.
Evans, acquired by the Aces in the offseason after 3 1/2 seasons with the Chicago Sky where she won a championship in 2021, played a pivotal role. Her assignment is to play aggressive defense and utilize her speed to attack the paint. she made history in the opener, becoming the first player in WNBA Finals history to make five 3-pointers and record four steals in a game.
Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Phoenix. The Mercury will look to continue a playoff trend, having won both Game 2s they’ve played this postseason after losing Game 1 in each round. However, the series is a best-of-seven, and opportunities are limited.
Hammon expressed confidence in her team’s continued success, predicting, “I predict our bench will be better.” Wilson echoed her coach’s sentiment, adding, “Please predict that.”
(Photo of Dana Evans: Stephen Greathouse / NBAE via Getty Images)
