In a gripping overtime thriller, Jackie Young and the Las Vegas Aces punched their ticket to the 2025 WNBA Finals, setting up a high-stakes rematch with the Phoenix Mercury. Young's clutch plays in the semifinal clincher against Indiana weren't just timely—they were the difference, as she tallied 22 points and key assists to fend off a resilient Fever squad. Indeed, her versatility as a guard has become the Aces' quiet engine, often overshadowed by A'ja Wilson's dominance but no less vital.
The series kicks off Friday night in Las Vegas, with Game 1 tipping at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Aces, holding home-court advantage after a 3-2 semifinal win, will host Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 if necessary. Phoenix, meanwhile, earned their spot by dismantling the Liberty in four games, showcasing a balanced attack led by Brittney Griner's interior presence. However, the Mercury's road starts tough; they'll need to steal one early to shift momentum in this best-of-seven battle.
Young's journey to this point hasn't been without hurdles. Plagued by a minor ankle tweak during the regular season, she bounced back fiercely in the playoffs, averaging 18.5 points per game across the postseason. Her matchup against Phoenix's backcourt, including Kahleah Copper's scoring punch, will test that resilience. The Aces, chasing a third title in four years, rely on Young's defensive tenacity to contain the Mercury's fast breaks—something that exposed vulnerabilities in last year's conference finals.
Moreover, the schedule tightens quickly: Game 2 follows Sunday, then a travel day before Phoenix hosts Game 3 on Wednesday. Injuries have thinned both rosters, but Young's consistency offers Las Vegas a subtle edge in endurance. Still, the Mercury's veteran grit can't be dismissed; they've clawed back from worse deficits before.
As the Finals unfold, one wonders how Young's poise under pressure might tip the scales in a league increasingly defined by star duels.