The Las Vegas Aces have jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 2025 WNBA Finals, having won both opening games. In Game 1, the Mercury lost a tight 89-86 contest after leading into the second half. Game 2 saw Las Vegas dominate more broadly, pulling away midway and closing out a 91-78 win. The Aces’ offensive firepower, especially from Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson, has been a constant threat.
First-Time Best-of-Seven Format Changes the Stakes
One major shift this year is the Finals format. For the first time in WNBA history, the championship series is a best-of-seven rather than a best-of-five. That change gives the Mercury more flexibility. Whereas falling 0-2 would have been nearly impossible to recover from under the old structure, now they have up to five more games to turn things around.
Coach Nate Tibbetts and players have expressed confidence that the extended series lets them reset, adjust, and respond. As one player put it, “It’s just been two of a seven-game series. There’s still a lot of basketball left to play.”
Keys to a Potential Turnaround
To stay alive, the Mercury must make critical adjustments. Defensively, they must pressure the Aces better and limit open shots. Offensively, they need to rediscover consistency, particularly from their supporting scorers beyond Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper. In Game 1, Phoenix led at halftime, but the Aces’ in-game adjustments overwhelmed them down the stretch. Also, the home-court shift matters. Game 3 moves back to Phoenix, where crowd energy and familiarity may help tilt the momentum.
Conclusion
While the Aces earned an early advantage, the series is far from over. The new best-of-seven format gives the Mercury structural breathing room. If they can defend better, get timely scoring, and leverage home games, they still have a shot. The pressure now lies on Las Vegas to tighten and close.
In Game 3, all eyes will focus on whether the Mercury can flip the momentum and make it a series again. The next few games may decide whether this Finals brings a historic comeback or confirms the Aces’ dominance.
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