Mercury down 2-0 to Aces in WNBA
Finals, but expanded best-of-seven format gives them hope
[October 08, 2025]
By DAVID BRANDT
PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Mercury are already experienced at
comebacks during this postseason, dropping the first game in each of
the first two series before rallying and advancing to the WNBA
Finals.
They'll need to climb out of an even bigger hole to win the
championship.
The Las Vegas Aces have a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series
as the Mercury prepare to host Game 3 on Wednesday. Phoenix hopes a
change of scenery, complete with a raucous home-crowd advantage, can
help them overcome a frustrating first two games.
“Starting out on the road is tough," Mercury veteran DeWanna Bonner
said. "That's not an excuse, because in order to win a championship,
you've got to win on the road. But I think being home, we're more
comfortable.
“We lacked a little bit of confidence (in Vegas), so hopefully we
get that back tomorrow.”
Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts doesn't bring up his NBA experience much
with his players, but his familiarity with what it takes to win a
seven-game series has helped him stay optimistic despite the 2-0
deficit. Tibbetts spent more than a decade as an assistant in the
NBA with the Cavaliers, Blazers and Magic.
This is the first time the WNBA Finals have been a best-of-seven
series, expanding from the previous best-of-five format.
“We've done a good job of resetting after wins and losses, getting
back and finding ourselves,” Tibbetts said. “In a seven-game series,
a lot of times the home team wins the first two. Now it's our
responsibility to protect our home.”
If the Mercury are going to make this a tight series, their defense
almost certainly has to improve.
The Aces edged the Mercury 89-86 in a tight Game 1, but were much
more dominant in Game 2, winning 91-78 on Sunday while controlling
the entire second half. Jackie Young scored 32 points — including a
record 21 in the third quarter — while A'ja Wilson added 28 points
and 14 rebounds.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally (0) works toward the basket as
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12), center, defends during the
first half in Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals, Sunday, Oct. 5,
2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Las Vegas shot 49.3% from the field and won the
rebounding edge 43-34.
Tibbetts said “the reason we're (in the finals) is because of our
defense and to give up 89 and 91, that's just too much.”
“Listen, they're great players — Jackie and A'ja,” the coach added.
“They're going to score, but you just need to make it tough. We're
not playing 1-on-1 or 2-on-2, we're guarding it 1 vs. 5 and we need
to understand that, showing them bodies.”
Phoenix has actually been the early aggressor in both finals games,
taking a 50-45 halftime lead in Game 1 and a 27-24 lead after one
quarter in Game 2. Both times, Las Vegas responded.
Wilson said she's proud of the Aces' resiliency, but falling behind
game after game isn't a recipe for success, particularly on the
road. The two-time reigning MVP said defense will be crucial in
making sure the Mercury don't get on an early roll.
“It's going to be more important now more than ever,” Wilson said.
“Our starts in Vegas were awful and we know we can't come in here
and do that. It's a different type of feel. Defensively, we've got
to lock in.”
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AP freelancer Bob Huhn in Phoenix contributed to this story.
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