Aces Edge Mercury in WNBA Finals Opener
Las Vegas Aces secured an 89-86 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, with A'ja Wilson and Dana Evans each contributing 21 points.
The Las Vegas Aces clinched a narrow 89-86 win against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday night. A'ja Wilson and Dana Evans each scored 21 points, leading the Aces' offense. Wilson added 12 points in the final 14 minutes, while Evans spearheaded a bench unit that outscored the Mercury's reserves 41-16.
Reserve Jewell Loyd contributed 18 points for Las Vegas, and starter Jackie Young added 10. Wilson also grabbed 10 rebounds, and Chelsea Gray dished out 10 assists. For Phoenix, Kahleah Copper led with 21 points, including 19 in the first half, and Satou Sabally added 19 points. Alyssa Thomas narrowly missed a triple-double, recording 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists.
The game featured 12 lead changes and nine ties, with neither team leading by more than nine points. In the closing moments, Thomas missed two free throws with 24.6 seconds remaining, and Young secured the win for Las Vegas by making two free throws with 13.5 seconds left. Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday in Las Vegas.