The 2025 WNBA Finals kicked off last night in Las Vegas, pitting the powerhouse Aces against a resilient Phoenix Mercury squad in what promises to be a grueling best-of-seven series—the first of its kind in league history. The Aces, seeded No. 2 after a blistering 16-game winning streak to close the regular season, enter as heavy favorites, chasing their third title in four years. Led by MVP A'ja Wilson, who's been a scoring machine with her blend of power and finesse, Las Vegas looks poised to dominate at home. Yet, the Mercury, the No. 4 seed, aren't backing down; they've already stunned the top-seeded Lynx in the semifinals, proving their mettle.
Indeed, Phoenix's path here has been anything but smooth. They overcame early-season hurdles and a tough playoff bracket, relying heavily on veteran grit. Alyssa Thomas, the Mercury's dynamic forward, has been pivotal, averaging nearly a triple-double in the postseason with her playmaking and defensive tenacity. Her ability to disrupt opposing offenses could be the X-factor against Wilson's interior dominance. On the flip side, the Aces' depth, bolstered by Jackie Young's sharp shooting and Jewell Loyd's scoring bursts, gives them an edge in transition. But questions linger about Las Vegas's consistency—remember that 53-point loss to Minnesota back in August? It exposed vulnerabilities that Phoenix might exploit.
Predictions from around the league lean toward the Aces in five or six games, with odds favoring them at around -700 for the series. However, Mercury's underdog spirit, fueled by their first Finals appearance since 2014, adds intrigue. Game 1 saw a tight first half, with Thomas clamping down on key drives, though the Aces pulled ahead late on free throws. Moreover, if Phoenix can control the tempo and limit turnovers, they might steal one on the road. Still, the Aces' home-court advantage, amplified by the roaring Michelob ULTRA Arena crowd, feels insurmountable for now.
Critics point out that both teams' big threes—Wilson, Young, and Loyd for Vegas; Thomas, Griner, and Taurasi for Phoenix—will dictate the outcome, but fatigue from the extended playoffs could tip the scales. As this series unfolds, one wonders if the Mercury's Cinderella run can rewrite the script against a dynasty in the making.