WNBA: Phee, A’ja face off in Lynx-Aces MVP showdown

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When one team beats another by 53 points, the rematch is not often highly-anticipated. But, that’s too predictable for the 2025 WNBA.

On August 2, the Minnesota Lynx handed the Las Vegas Aces the worst home loss in league history, drubbing the former champs 111-58.

Such a loss should have sent the Aces to the netherworld, but instead, they’ve been otherworldly.

Vegas has not lost since that doomsday defeat, reeling off 12-straight wins with a dominance reminiscent of their near-dynasty days. The win streak has lifted the Aces from the bottom of the playoff bracket to as high as the No. 2 seed. The Aces currently sit at No. 3, just half a game behind the No. 2-seed Atlanta Dream.

So, might the biggest win in Minnesota history have been a mistake? Did the Lynx awaken their toughest challenger for the 2025 WNBA title? Furthermore, did they jeopardize what appeared to be a fated first MVP for Napheesa Collier, as A’ja Wilson, the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month for August, has made all-time performances seem routine as she has propelled the Aces’ ascent?

Those questions will not be fully answered when the teams meet for the fourth and final time on Thursday in Las Vegas (10 p.m. ET, Prime Video). However, it will be hard to avoid overreacting to the narrative implications when watching and assessing the game.

No, the winner will not be the clear-cut title favorite, but it will be difficult not to see them as having the edge in a possible championship series. Likewise, whether Phee or A’ja has the better game should not determine who is the more deserving MVP winner, but it would be disingenuous to deny that their head-to-head matchup will not sway opinions.

Lynx-Aces IV implicates all the dramatic narratives that make sports so compelling.

In the bigger picture, the Lynx lead the season series 3-0, with none of the three games being competitive. Even before the 53-point beatdown, Minnesota scored 14-point and 31-point wins over Vegas. The stats from those games, in context with both teams’ season-long statistical resumes, suggest that, regardless of what happens on Thursday night, the Lynx are the better team; they’re the No. 1 seed and title favorite for a reason.

Yet, the storylines overwhelm the stats. The Aces’ unprecedented in-season turnaround inspires ideas about how intangibles—like grit, belief, toughness, togetherness and leadership—matter more than dissectible data. The Lynx, of course, possess those characteristics as well. And all that, and more, will play out on the court on Thursday night.

Mercury, Valkyries look to keep streaking towards the playoffs

If the Lynx prevail, sending the Aces to their first loss in 13 games, the Phoenix Mercury will have the opportunity to overtake them for the No. 3 seed with a win in DC over the Washington Mystics (7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video). A victory also would give Phoenix six-straight wins.

The Mercury have taken care of the Mystics in the two previous matchups, winning a close one in late May before a rout in late July. In the latter win, current WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week Alyssa Thomas totaled 27 points, 11 boards and eight assists. With another such performance, her name will remain right alongside Collier’s and Wilson’s in the MVP conversation.

The Golden State Valkyries also can keep their win streak going on Thursday when they host the injury-ravaged Dallas Wings (10 p.m ET, League Pass). Winners of four-straight, the Valkyries have a one-game cushion over the Seattle Storm for the No. 6 seed.