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After winning a do-or-die Game 5 just a few days ago, the Las Vegas Aces opened the 2025 WNBA Finals with a statement victory over the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, on Friday night, taking a crucial 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series. The two-time defending champions, fresh off a taxing five-game semifinal against the Indiana Fever, were led by another vintage performance from their undisputed superstar, who set the tone for a battle that promises to be both a duel in the desert and a clash of contrasting philosophies.
The highly anticipated matchup is defined by the contrasting paths the two franchises took to reach the final. Las Vegas, despite their early-season struggles, exploded to finish the regular season with a 16-game win streak. Phoenix, meanwhile, entered the postseason as a major underdog, completely overhauling their roster after the departures of franchise legends Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. The Mercury fought through two higher seeds, including a nail-biting series against the top-seeded Lynx, fueled by the aggressive, physical defense orchestrated by Alyssa Thomas.
The victory immediately puts the emphasis on A’ja Wilson, the record-setting four-time WNBA MVP. After surviving the semifinal grind, Wilson’s Aces are now looking to capture their third WNBA championship in four seasons, a feat only accomplished by the dynastic Houston Comets. Wilson set the pace in Game 1 with dominant interior play, scoring 21 points in the effort. Outside of Wilson, Dana Evans came off the bench to score 21, including five threes, and Jewell Lloyd added 18 of her own
Phoenix relied on their core of Thomas, Satou Sabally, and Kahleah Copper to leverage their defensive intensity and disrupt the Aces’ high-octane offense. Copper had 21 on the night, leading the team, along with Thomas scoring 15 and Sabally 19. Their ability to force turnovers and slow the pace — a strategy that proved effective against Las Vegas in the regular season — did not work in Game 1, with Las Vegas only turning it over seven times to Phoenix’s 14.
With the WNBA Finals adopting a best-of-seven format for the first time in league history, the series is set up to be a true test of depth. While the Aces hold the early advantage, the physical battle and the pressure of history will intensify with every game, ensuring that this desert duel will be a grueling, must-watch conclusion to the 2025 WNBA season.
The Sporting News followed all the action from Game 1 on Friday night. Check out all the action below.
STREAM: Watch Mercury vs. Aces live with Fubo (free trial)
Aces vs. Mercury score
WNBA FINALS HQ: Live WNBA scores | Full WNBA schedule | Updated WNBA bracket
WNBA Finals live updates, highlights from Aces vs. Mercury Game 1
End of the fourth quarter: Aces 89, Mercury 86
10:14 p.m.: Phoenix is unable to hit the final shot, with Sabally missing a three as time expired, and the Aces win Game 1, 89-86.
10:13 p.m.: At the line, Young hits two out of two free throws to extend the Aces deficit to three. Out of the break, the Mercury have the ball with 13.5 left.
10:10 p.m.: Thomas cuts into the Aces deficit, then makes a huge play on the other end before getting fouled by Las Vegas.
Becky Hammon challenged the play, but it was upheld. Thomas missed both free throws, and the Aces still lead with 17 seconds left.
Alyssa Thomas makes it a one point game ‼️
PHX-LVA | ESPN | WNBA Finals | @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/2nP865c9Vu
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2025
10:05 p.m.: With 1:25 remaining, the Aces are up 87-84. Thomas and the Mercury face an uphill deficit, with Las Vegas having the ball.
10:01 p.m.: Evans makes her fifth three pointer of the game, giving the Aces a 85-82 lead. She is up to 21 points on the night.
10:00 p.m.: With 4:12 remaining, we are tied at 82. It’s been a back and forth affair, and the Aces have clawed back.
9:53 p.m.: With the Aces down two, Evans hits another three, her fourth of the night. The Fever took a 78-77 lead before Sami Whitcomb hit another three to make the lead 80-78.
9:46 p.m.: A technical foul on Phoenix sends Wilson to the line, where she makes two free throws to make it 76-72. She has 17 points on the night.
After a few possessions, Evans hits a three to cut the lead to one. She has 15.
End of the third quarter: Mercury 71, Aces 67
9:39 p.m.: Wilson hits two more free throws before the end of the quarter, and the Aces were able to cut the deficit to one.
Sabally hits another three before the quarter ends, though Evans makes another layup before the quarter ends. The teams exchange quick baskets, with Sabally making one more layup before the quarter ends. The Mercury lead by four.
9:38 p.m.: Wilson is up to 13 points on the night, hitting a fadeaway on a Mercury defender. The lead is now three for Phoenix.
9:36 p.m.: Sami Whitcomb, who has come of the bench and has played 12 minutes, is in pain on the court. She was helped off by trainers and went to the locker room.
9:32 p.m.: The Mercury have gone on a 9-0 run after the Aces tied the game. Wilson made a layup to stop the bleeding, but Phoenix leads 66-59.
Another angle of the three pointers by DeWanna Bonner & Monique Akoa Makani 👏 https://t.co/qAYgBbwDfL pic.twitter.com/alBCaitqna
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2025
9:28 p.m.: Trailing by 3, Las Vegas forces a turnover, and Gray is fouled on a three-point attempt.
Gray went perfect from the line and tied the game.
9:18 p.m.: Monique Akoa Makani hits a three for Phoenix, and then Kierstan Bell responds with one of her own.
Phoenix is 9-for-18 from behind the arc, while Las Vegas is 5-for-17.
9:15 p.m.: We are underway for the second half in Las Vegas, with the Aces trailing 50-45.
Halftime: Mercury 50, Aces 45
8:56 p.m.: At halftime, the Mercury lead by five in Game 1. Copper leads all scoring with 19. None of the Aces are in double digits, with Wilson leading scoring with nine.
8:54 p.m.: Copper hits her fifth three of the first half and is up to 19 on the night. Though, Lloyd follows it up with one of her own to make it 50-45.
5 THREE POINTERS FOR KAH 🤩
Copper has 19 PTS in 15 minutes of play! She’s on another planet!
PHX-LVA | ESPN | WNBA Finals | @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/MLKZ566AOr
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2025
8:48 p.m.: Phoenix has been leading for most of the game, and once again a Copper three puts them up four.
The next possession, she hits another three, her fourth of the night. She is up to 16 points.
8:42 p.m.: Evans has had a strong game so far, with 10 points on the night. Las Vegas still trails, 41-38.
Dana Evans is cookin’ early 😎
She’s already up to 8 PTS & has 2 3PM!
PHX-LVA | ESPN | WNBA Finals | @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/m79GeSRRaV
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2025
8:38 p.m.: Copper hits her second consecutive three, this time from the left side of the arc to give the Mercury a 31-28 lead. Then, Wilson gets to the free throw line, where she only makes one of two.
The next possession, the Aces force another turnover and Evans hits another three to give them the lead. But, it was short-lived, as Sabally hits a three at the other end to make it 34-32.
8:36 p.m.: Dana Evans gives Las Vegas the lead with a 22-foot two-pointer, and it’s 26-25.
Though, Phoenix answers right back with a three from Copper.
End of the first quarter: Mercury 21, Aces 21
8:31 p.m: At the end of one, the game is tied. Las Vegas ended the quarter on a 7-0 run to level it at 21.
8:29 p.m.: Thomas has had a good game so far. She has six points on 3-for-3 from the field as the Mercury maintains their lead.
AT vs. A’ja 👀
If you’re not already watching these two go at it you need to tune into ESPN NOW! https://t.co/sG2G4FgD4j pic.twitter.com/c8Atvke7Pb
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2025
8:22 p.m.: Both teams have exchanged punches early on, with Copper and Jewell Lloyd each scoring for their teams. Phoenix leads, 17-10.
WE SEE YOU JEWELL 🗣️
Jewell Loyd takes it straight at her defender and finishes!
PHX-LVA | ESPN | WNBA Finals | @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/34w5Y5KCPv
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2025
8:19 p.m.: The Mercury and Aces continue to exchange shots, with Wilson getting her second bucket of the game and Natasha Mack exchanging baskets.
8:14 p.m: Phoenix has went on a 10-0 run. Satou Sabally hit two free throws, then followed it up with a layup to make it 10-4.
8:10 p.m.: The Aces score the first points, and it’s no other than Wilson, who hits a mid-range jumper.
Copper responds with one of her own.
8:08 p.m.: The Mercury and Aces have tipped off and we are underway in Las Vegas.
The starting 5⃣ for the @PhoenixMercury!
PHX-LVA | ESPN | WNBA Finals | @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/GtNf4ORUGZ
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2025
7:53 p.m.: The Aces have released their starting five for tonight.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄
1️⃣2️⃣ Gray0️⃣ Young1️⃣ Bell3️⃣ Smith2️⃣2️⃣ Wilson
Presented by @DriveToyota // #RaiseTheStakes pic.twitter.com/CKXzoNNSVP
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) October 3, 2025
7:40 p.m.: There are a lot of storylines in this series, but none is bigger than A’Ja Wilson vs Alyssa Thomas.
BATTLE OF THE BIGS 😤
A’ja Wilson and Alyssa Thomas will go head-to-head tonight for ownership of the paint!
The Aces vs. Mercury matchup begins at 8:00pm/ET on ESPN. Tune in to watch these power houses go at it!
WNBA Playoffs presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/ACng9a9lkr
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 3, 2025
The two finished top three in WNBA MVP voting, and will be paired against one another throughout the series.
7:08 p.m.: The Mercury have also taken the court.
AT couldn’t believe her eyes 👀
Kahleah Copper locked in early ahead of Game 1!#WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/1uQ64RxEjc
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 3, 2025
Outside of Thomas, Phoenix is looking for a big series from Copper. She is averaging 15 points per game in the postseason.
7:00 p.m.: Once again, the Aces are giving fans rally towels before tonight’s matchup.
Setting the scene 😎
The Aces’ arena is dripped out in gear ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals presented by @YouTubeTV
PHX-LVA | 8:00pm/ET | ESPN pic.twitter.com/QD6gloX7an
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 3, 2025
6:50 p.m.: Chelsea Gray is on the court for warmups.
Chelsea Gray’s stats last game:
17 PTS | 6 AST | 3 STL | 2 BLKS
Gray and the Aces face the Phoenix Mercury at 8:00pm/ET on ESPN#WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/79tTPnt5Nt
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 3, 2025
Gray came up big in overtime at Game 5 and finished with 17 points in the Aces’ victory. She was surprised by her mom, aunt and brother before Game 1.
The moments that matter most 🥹
Chelsea Gray’s mom, aunt, and brother came to surprise her ahead of Game 1!
WNBA Finals | @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/fEjuv83Feh
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 3, 2025
6:30 p.m.: The WNBA have posted some of the player arrivals before tonight’s game.
The Life of a Finals Girl 🧡 pic.twitter.com/Ww8V7zMVc0
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 3, 2025
5:45 p.m.: Alyssa Thomas has arrived before Game 1. The Mercury superstar is hoping to lead Phoenix to an upset win over Las Vegas.
Alyssa Thomas has arrived for Game 1.
The quest for her first ring begins 🏆#WNBAFinals | @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/i5onufHVnZ
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 3, 2025
Thomas finished third in WNBA MVP voting, behind the Aces’ A’Ja Wilson and the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier.
5:00 p.m.: The Aces are ready for Game 1. They’ll be decked out in their black jerseys, just like in Game 5.
Finals threads 🤩✨#RaiseTheStakes pic.twitter.com/vEH3B4K6Cg
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) October 3, 2025
The Mercury will be decked out in their white jerseys.
Stage is set. pic.twitter.com/1lAMhR7iHv
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) October 3, 2025
MORE WNBA FINALS NEWS:
Where to watch WNBA Finals tonight
Aces vs. Mercury start time
Date: Friday, October 3Time: 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT
Fever vs. Aces will start at 8 p.m. ET on Friday night Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
What channel is Aces vs. Mercury on today?
TV Channel: ESPNLive Stream: ESPN+, Fubo
Game 1 of the WNBA Finals will be broadcast live on ESPN. The game will also be on the ESPN app, along with Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.
WNBA Finals schedule 2025
DateGameTime (ET)TV/Live streamFri., Oct. 3Game 18 p.m. ESPN, FuboSun., Oct. 5Game 23 p.m.ABC, FuboWed., Oct. 8Game 38 p.m. ESPN, FuboFri., Oct. 10Game 48 p.m.ESPN, FuboSun., Oct. 12Game 5*3 p.m. ABC, FuboWed., Oct. 15Game 6*8 p.m.ESPN, FuboFri., Oct. 17Game 7*8 p.m.ESPN, Fubo
*If necessary
