Wilson, Evans Power Aces Past Mercury in Finals Opener Thriller

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LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Aces showed why they’ve become the standard in the WNBA, finding a way to close out another tight postseason battle. A’ja Wilson and Dana Evans each scored 21 points, and the Aces edged the Phoenix Mercury 89-86 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday night at Michelob Ultra Arena. Wilson, the two-time league MVP, delivered when it mattered most, scoring 12 of her points in the final 14 minutes while also grabbing 10 rebounds. Evans sparked Las Vegas off the bench, leading a reserve unit that outscored Phoenix’s 41-16. Jewell Loyd added 18 points off the bench, Jackie Young had 10, and Chelsea Gray controlled the offense with 10 assists as the defending champions struck first in the best-of-seven Finals — the first in league history. For Phoenix, Kahleah Copper came out firing, scoring 19 of her 21 points in the first half while knocking down a playoff career-high five three-pointers before halftime. Satou Sabally added 19 points, and Alyssa Thomas flirted with a triple-double (15 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists).

The game had the intensity of a classic Finals opener, featuring 12 lead changes and nine ties. Neither team led by more than nine points.

With the Mercury trailing by one and 24.6 seconds left, Thomas went to the free-throw line with a chance to put her team ahead but missed both shots. On the ensuing possession, Young was fouled and calmly sank two free throws with 13.5 seconds remaining to push Las Vegas ahead by three. Phoenix had one last chance to extend the game, but Sabally’s deep three-point attempt in the final seconds rimmed out, sealing the Aces’ win.

“Every possession matters at this stage,” Wilson said afterward. “We knew they’d come at us, and we just had to stay composed.” Game 2 is set for Sunday in Las Vegas, where the Aces will try to take a commanding 2-0 series lead before the Finals shift to Phoenix.