LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas Aces guard Dana Evans could barely speak on the eve of the 2025 WNBA Finals. Her voice was beyond scratchy. The 5-foot-6 guard was barely audible. A day later, she let her play do the talking. Evans scored 21 points in 26 minutes off Las Vegas’ bench to fuel the Aces to a 89-86 second-half comeback against the Phoenix Mercury for a 1-0 series lead. Fellow reserve guard Jewell Loyd added 18 points to help Las Vegas claw back from a nine-point deficit midway through the third
A day later, she let her play do the talking.
Evans scored 21 points in 26 minutes off Las Vegas’ bench to fuel the Aces to a 89-86 second-half comeback against the Phoenix Mercury for a 1-0 series lead. Fellow reserve guard Jewell Loyd added 18 points to help Las Vegas claw back from a nine-point deficit midway through the third quarter.
Heading into the seven-game-series opener, Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon predicted the Aces’ bench could be a potential separator between the opponents. “I think we have the best overall bench that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” she said.
It would be hard to disagree with that assessment, especially after Las Vegas’ three-point win in which the Aces’ bench outscored the Mercury reserves 41-16.
Of course, starter and four-time league MVP A’ja Wilson was essential too. She chipped in with a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double, and in a game featuring little defense for three guards, the experienced Aces stiffened in the fourth quarter, allowing just 15 points on 33.3 percent shooting.
Phoenix had opportunities to pull away, in the second half and in the game’s waning seconds. Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas went to the free-throw line with 24.6 seconds remaining to shoot two that could have given Phoenix a one-point lead. But Thomas, a career 65.1 free-throw shooter, missed both. The Aces, unlike the Mercury, wouldn’t let their opportunity on their home court go to waste.
Thomas finished just shy of a triple-double, contributing 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally scored 21 and 19 points, respectively, for Phoenix.
But it was not the starters who set the tone of Game 1. It was the reserves, and the Aces’ group was superior.
Game 2 will tip off on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, WNBA
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Category: General Sports
