The Athletic has live coverage of Mercury vs. Aces from Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Finals.

The 2025 WNBA Finals feature a desert duel that few would have predicted at the start of the season. The Las Vegas Aces are making their third WNBA Finals appearance in four years and eyeing a third title over that span. The Phoenix Mercury are back in the finals for the first time since 2021. They feature only two returning players from last year’s team, as the era of Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner has given way to a Big Three of Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper.

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The Mercury and Aces met four times during the regular season, in which the Aces collected three wins — two as part of their 16-game winning streak before the playoffs. The Mercury’s lone win in June was when the Aces were without A’ja Wilson. Phoenix is playing its best basketball of the season now, achieving a level of consistency that Las Vegas has not matched during the postseason.

Both squads are led by a frontcourt MVP candidate and loaded with star power, including a trio of 2024 Olympians in the starting lineups. Although the 2025 WNBA Finals matchup would have been unexpected back in May, and even at the start of the playoffs, there is plenty of intrigue.

Who has the edge? We’re breaking down the finals and giving our predictions:

How does Las Vegas’ offense match up with Phoenix’s defense?

Las Vegas ORTG: 105.9 points per 100 possessions

Phoenix DRTG: 100.4

The Aces have the best player in the world in Wilson, and the Mercury don’t have a great answer for her one