In a nail-biting start to the 2025 WNBA Finals, the Las Vegas Aces scraped out an 89-86 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night at Michelob Ultra Arena. Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray, the Aces' dynamic backcourt duo, played pivotal roles in holding off a gritty Phoenix squad that refused to fade away. The win sets the tone for what promises to be a fierce series, but it wasn't without its tense moments—especially in those final seconds when Satou Sabally's desperation three clanged off the rim.
Young, ever the clutch performer, finished with 10 points but made her biggest impact late. With the game hanging in the balance, she sank two crucial free throws to push Las Vegas's lead back to three, forcing Phoenix into that frantic last possession. It's classic Young: not always the flashiest scorer, but her poise under pressure has been a hallmark of the Aces' championship runs. Indeed, in this opener, her defense on Kahleah Copper— who tallied 21 points but cooled off in the second half—helped stem the Mercury's momentum. However, Young's scoring was subdued compared to her usual output; one wonders if the heavy minutes from the semifinals are catching up.
Then there's Chelsea Gray, the so-called "Point Gawd," who orchestrated the offense with surgical precision. She notched eight points, seven rebounds, and a game-high 10 assists, threading passes that kept the Aces' attack humming. Gray's double-double in assists highlighted her command, especially as A'ja Wilson dominated inside with 21 points and 10 boards. Yet, Gray's night wasn't flawless; turnovers crept in during crunch time, a slight blemish on an otherwise stellar showing. Moreover, her rebounding grit spoke to the Aces' all-around effort, outrebounding Phoenix by a slim margin that proved decisive.
The Mercury, led by Copper's scoring and Alyssa Thomas's near triple-double (15 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists), mounted a valiant comeback, but Las Vegas's bench—sparked by Dana Evans' 21 points—provided the edge. Game 2 looms Sunday, and with both teams nursing minor injuries, the series could swing wildly. Still, for Young and Gray, this win reaffirms their status as the Aces' backbone, even if the path to a third title feels more precarious than before.
What remains to be seen is how these veterans adapt if the pressure intensifies further.