A Las Vegas Aces took leadership with a score of 1: 0 Phoenix Mercury In the 2025 Wnba final with a dramatic victory 89-86 in the game 1 on Friday. After the lag at nine at the end of the third quarter of the ace of the ace, they grew forward in the middle of the fourth, and then held in the last minute. Aaja Wilson went 21 points, 10 rebounds and five programs, while Dana Evans Added 21 points from the bench.
Game 2 of this series of the best out of seven years is intended for Sunday. Can the aces take command with a score of 2: 0? Or is all mercury at all?
The aces entered the season with expectations in the struggle after their early exit in the play -off last season, but began a disappointing start. They were still lower than .500 at the end of July and lost 53 points in Minnesota Linx August 2. This historical defeat stimulated their incredible turn at the end of the season, and they closed the regular season in a series of victories in 16 games to earn seed No. 2. In the play -off, nevertheless, the aces did not look so dominant. They need all three games to win Seattle Storm in the first round and in all five games to pass by Indiana fever In the semifinals.
No one was sure what would happen to Mercury this season after their full overhaul in winter. Franchise icons Diana Taurasi (retirement) and Britney smiles (Free agency) left, and only two members of their detachment of 2024 returned. They brought Alissa Thomas And Sata Sabalno To form a large three with Cahlei copper, but basically had an unverified cast. Their campaign in the regular season was changed from time to time, partly due to injuries, but they proved that they can be a real threat due to their top-level talent. Similarly, their race in the play -off was an American hill, but they pulled out the ruling champion New York Freedom And the best Minnes Minnesota Linx.
This is the third final in the last four seasons for the aunts that are looking for their third championship in the history of the franchise. Meanwhile, Mercury for the first time in the final has been in the final since 2021 and is trying to win the fourth title that will bring them into draws with the use of a lynx, Seattle Storm and now not existing Houston comets for all the time.
Annches opened like a small favorite to win the title (-122 on Fanduel) That's all you need to know about the 2025 Wnba finale:
Wnba 2025 finals schedule
- Game 1: Tozes 89, Mercury 86 (Leadership Aces, 1-0)
- Game 2: Mercury in aces (-2.5), Sunday, 15:00 East time-ABC/Fubo
- Game 3: Basics in Mercury, October 8, 8 pm on eastern time – ESPN/Fubo
- Game 4: Basics in Mercury, October 10, 8 pm on eastern time – ESPN/Fubo
- Game 5*: Mercury in Aths, October 12, 15:00 East time – ABC/Fubo
- Game 6*: Basics in Mercury, October 15, 8 pm on eastern time – ESPN/Fubo
- Game 7*: Mercury in Aths, October 17, 20:00 East time – ESPN /Fubo
*If necessary
Players to watch
Aces: Aaja Wilson
Four -time MVP and a three -time defender of the year spent several shaky moments in this postson, especially against Aliya Boston And the fever in the semifinals, but her performance in the game 5 of this series was incredible. Wilson has always been the driving force of the success of Ace in recent years, but now, more than when, they are extremely dependent on her attack. Through the first two rounds of the aceum playoffs are 4-1, when Wilson has at least 25 points and 1-2, when it does not reach this number.
Mercury: Alissa Thomas
They call Alissa Thomas a “engine” for some reason. The 12-year-old veterinarian never slows down and went to the final in her first season with the club. Despite the fact that she again could not cope with the MVP, she can raise the most important trophy for more time in her career if she could continue to play, as if she had this postseson. Thomas gains an average of 18.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 9.1 programs and two interceptions during the first two rounds. The only other player who is on average at least 18/8/8 during the play -off? Thomas in 2023.
Three keys to the series
Can mercury slow down Wilson?
During the first two rounds, the play -off Aizh Wilson scored 29.9% of the aces and took 31.2% of his attempts to field goals. Its 34% of the frequency of use leads all players (min. 25 minutes is reproduced) in the postson with a significant margin. The next closest Kelsi Mitchell 27.7%.
All that the aces do passes through Wilson. If Mercury can find a way to slow down Wilson, they will have a great chance to win this series.
During the regular season, Wilson scored an average of 25 points, 15.7 rebounds and three programs against Mercury, and although it only reached 32 penalties in these three games – on average more than 10 for competition.
Mercury does not have a huge front line. The only player in his list above 6 feet 4-6 feet 7 Kalani Brownwho played for three minutes in the play -off. But the fact that mercury does not have enough height, they are in physicalness and determination.
Natasha MackSabyura and Alissa Thomas are very tough, and players around the perimeter of Mercury love to dig and go along the ball at any time when he approaches the paint. Mercury allows only 20.6 attempts to play five feet in the play -off, and opponents shoot 56.9% at these views. Among the eight teams of the play -off, Mercury takes the third and fourth place, respectively, in these categories.
There are two big questions regarding the efforts of Mercury in the content of Wilson
- How much will the contacts of judges allow?
- Can mercury keep her away from the rim and turn it into a jump?
The performance was the main subject of the conversation throughout the play -off, and not a single team was more physical than Mercury. Nevertheless, Mercury was called only to 13.9 fouls per game. No other team in the postsesone is not lower than 15 per game. If the mercury is allowed to bring down Wilson, it will be in their favor. But if officials are addressed to the game, and Wilson gets to the penalty line, as she did in their regular season matches, this is an advantage. In order for the fact that it is worth the penalties of Wilson for the game are associated with the most part of any player in the postson.
Wilson is the most dominant striker in the league, capable of defeating opponents from any point on the floor. However, it is much more effective around the rim than where else. In the regular championship, she shot 70% in a limited zone compared to 45% in the middle range. A similar story in the playoffs, as it made 61.5% of its attempts at the rim and 41.5% of its average rangers. If Wilson will be frantic for the rim, Mercury has little hope, but if they can rise and make her go up to the jumpers, they will have a chance.
Will Nate Tibbetts correct his starting lineup?
Mercury was forced to use a number of various starting trains during the regular season from injuries, but their main unit was Caner Shol FilmIN Kahleya copperSaba Sabally, Alissa Thomas and Natasha Mack. During the regular season, this group was very good. During the play -off, they were a disaster.
Look at the gaps of the starters between the regular season and the postson:
|
Regular season |
99.0 |
88.4 |
+10.6 |
|
Play -Off |
82.9 |
105.7 |
-22.9 |
Even during the regular season, the attack of this group was shaky. In the play -off, a lack of shooting was found. Neither Mack nor Thomas look at the basket over 12-15 feet, and Acoa Makani, who fired well in the ball for a low volume in the regular season, really fought in the playoffs. And even in their best manifestations, Saballi and copper, striped from the arc.
Mercury starters cannot score, and, even worse, they set fire to the other end – partly because opponents rarely have to play against the established defense.
While Mercury made several incredible returning to this post -Eson, this was necessary only because their starters continue to dig a hole. In the first quarter, Mercury has a clean Minus-8.1 rating and a net Minus-6.8 rating in the third quarter during the playoffs. On the other hand, their clean rating of the second quarter is plus 17.6, and their net rating of the fourth quarter-frantic plus 23.8 is the best of all eight teams of the postsuzon.
The second used composition of Mercury in this post -zone behind the starters is a large three Thomas, Sabally and Copper with The Whitkomb itself And Devanna Bonner Instead of Acoa Makani and Mac. This group has a pure plus-21.8 rating for more than 55 minutes.
All this asks the question, why not just start this last group in the first place? If Tibbetts wants to save the same starters for moral purposes, he must at least have a shorter reason. Mercury stole several games in this run with the wonderful fourth quarter, but they may have no luck in the finale.
Can the bmars strengthen the speed?
Here are a few statistics in the first two rounds of the play -off:
- Mercury is the first turnover (15%)
- Mercury first in the opponent from the revolutions (12.1)
- Mercury first in the defensive rating (92.2)
- Ackeletings are the first in terms of enemy turnover (19.2%)
- The aces are the first in the revolutions for the game (19.1)
- Ackeletings are the first in percentage of revolutions (22%)
- Athmarks are the first in the rating of the offensive (108.9)
Thus, Mercury was the best protective team in the play -off, partly because they take care of the ball and do not give light glasses from the revolutions, while the aces were the best team of offensive in the play -off, partly because they force many revolutions that they are able to turn into light glasses.
Something will have to be given in the final.
For the fact that it is when the two teams (which were both completely healthy at that time) met at the end of August, closer to the end of the regular season, the aces won for 22 years. They forced 14 revolutions in this game, which they turned into 21 points – almost exactly staining the game.
Game 2 prediction
In this series there was no clear favorite direction, and the only thing most experts could agree with is that it would be a long series. Game 1 only confirmed that this match can go anyway. On Sunday, Mercury should have some additional juice, since they will not want to fall 2-0. Nevertheless, ACES still has the best player in the series in A'JA Wilson, and Mercury Star Alyssa Thomas is engaged in handmade problem. We again lean on the home of the fact that in fact it is a toss. Choose: aces -2.5
