Las Vegas Aces Take Game 1 of WNBA Finals with Bench Dominance

The Las Vegas Aces opened the 2025 WNBA Finals with a hard-fought 89-86 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1, establishing early momentum in the first-ever best-of-seven championship series. The Aces' bench proved to be the difference-maker, contributing a franchise-record 41 points in a Finals game to overcome Phoenix's strong start and secure home-court advantage.

Bench Production Leads Aces to Victory

Dana Evans emerged as the unexpected hero for Las Vegas, scoring 21 points off the bench while making five of six three-point attempts. Her performance matched the game-high scoring totals of four-time MVP A'ja Wilson and Mercury star Kahleah Copper. Evans' clutch shooting proved particularly valuable down the stretch, as she made three crucial three-pointers in the final eight minutes of the game.

Jewell Loyd also provided significant bench production with 18 points, including 10 in the first quarter that helped stabilize the Aces after Phoenix opened with a 10-2 run. According to ESPN Research, Evans and Loyd became the first pair of teammates with at least 15 points as reserves in a Finals game since 2019.

Mercury's Missed Opportunities

Phoenix will likely lament several missed opportunities that could have swung the game in their favor. The Mercury led for nearly the entire contest and outshot Las Vegas from beyond the arc, making 39% of their three-point attempts compared to the Aces' 33%. However, turnover differential proved costly, with Phoenix committing 14 turnovers to Las Vegas' seven, which tied the fewest ever by a team in a Finals game.

The most painful moment came in the final minutes when Alyssa Thomas, who finished one assist shy of a triple-double, missed two potential go-ahead free throws with the Mercury trailing by one point. According to Elias Sports Bureau, it marked the first time in WNBA history that a player missed two potential score-tying free throws in the same trip to the line during the final two minutes of a playoff game.

Strategic Defensive Adjustment

Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon made a crucial strategic move in the second half by implementing zone defense for 20 possessions, a tactic the Aces hadn't used significantly since mid-July. The adjustment slowed Phoenix's offense considerably, particularly in the fourth quarter where the Mercury managed just 15 points. Phoenix shot just 3-of-14 against the zone defense with three additional turnovers.

This defensive strategy allowed the Aces to defend Thomas pick-and-rolls without conceding mismatches through switching. The zone proved especially effective down the stretch, with Phoenix managing only 1-of-8 shooting against it in the fourth quarter.

The Aces now carry momentum into Game 2, having protected their home court in the series opener. Phoenix will need to solve Las Vegas' zone defense and capitalize on late-game opportunities to even the series before it shifts to their home court. The Mercury demonstrated they can compete with the Aces, but converting opportunities into points will be essential for their championship aspirations.