{"id":634184,"date":"2025-10-04T13:19:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T12:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=634184"},"modified":"2025-10-04T13:20:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-04T12:20:33","slug":"2025-wnba-finals-game-1-aja-wilson-and-dana-evans-combine-42-points-to-lead-aces-over-mercury-establishing-early-dominance-in-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/2025-wnba-finals-game-1-aja-wilson-and-dana-evans-combine-42-points-to-lead-aces-over-mercury-establishing-early-dominance-in-series\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 WNBA Finals Game 1: A\u2019ja Wilson and Dana Evans Combine 42 Points to Lead Aces Over Mercury Establishing Early Dominance in Series\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A&rsquo;ja Wilson and Dana Evans dropped 42 combined points to lead the Las Vegas Aces to a thrilling 89-86 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1 of the 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/wnba\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>WNBA<\/a> Finals. Wilson grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out five assists while shooting 7-16 from the field. With the victory, the Aces recorded an early 1-0 lead over their counterparts in the league&rsquo;s first-ever best-of-seven finals series.&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&#119824;&#119828;&#120785;&#120785;&#119821; &#119822;&#119813; &#119827;&#119815;&#119812; &#119814;&#119808;&#119820;&#120785; &#128081;<br><br>&spades;&#65039; 21 PTS<br>&spades;&#65039; 3 AST<br>&spades;&#65039; 4 STL<br>&spades;&#65039; 5-6 3PM<br>&spades;&#65039; 62% FG<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Danaaakianaaa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@Danaaakianaaa<\/a> \/\/ <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RaiseTheStakes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>#RaiseTheStakes<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4CkcLIrhhp\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>pic.twitter.com\/4CkcLIrhhp<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LVAces\/status\/1974307204862967837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>October 4, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ESPNInsights\/status\/1974327360783630833\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>Wilson became the first player in WNBA finals history<\/a> to record 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and zero turnovers in a game. Evans, on the other hand, also dropped 21 points off the bench. She recorded two rebounds, and three assists while shooting 8-of-13 from the field and 5-of-6 from the three-point line. She is the <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WNBAComms\/status\/1974294778432180362\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>first player in the history of WNBA Finals<\/a> to make five threes and record four steals in a game.&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Starting the series with a dub &#9989;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Danaaakianaaa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@Danaaakianaaa<\/a>: 21 PTS \/ 3 AST \/ 4 STL \/ 5-6 3PM \/ 62% FG<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/_ajawilson22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@_ajawilson22<\/a>: 21 PTS \/ 10 REB \/ 5 AST \/ 2 BLK \/ 44% FG<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jewellloyd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@jewellloyd<\/a>: 18 PTS \/ 4 REB \/ 50% FG<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JackieYoung3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@JackieYoung3<\/a>: 10 PTS \/ 5 AST \/ 2 STL<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RaiseTheStakes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>#RaiseTheStakes<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/WzasFOJdZ8\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>pic.twitter.com\/WzasFOJdZ8<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LVAces\/status\/1974314738189574414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>October 4, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Las Vegas Aces Turn Up Defense in Last Quarter to Break Mercury&rsquo;s Rhythm&nbsp;<\/h2><p>The Phoenix Mercury, who are appearing in the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2021, had control of the game for most of the time. After tying the opening quarter at 21, the Mercury gained a five-point lead as they headed into the second half. However, the Aces announced their arrival in the second half, and while they were trailing the Mercury, the hosts outscored their rivals by one point in the third quarter.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">It's halftime in Game 1 of the Finals &#128079;<br><br>The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PhoenixMercury?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@PhoenixMercury<\/a> lead the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LVAces?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@LVAces<\/a> 50-45<br><br>Kahleah Copper: 19 PTS | 5 3PM | 3 REB<br>Alyssa Thomas: 10 PTS | 6 AST <br>Jewell Loyd: 13 PTS | 2 REB<br>Dana Evans: 10 PTS | 2 3PM | 2 STL<br><br>Tune into the second half on ESPN<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WNBAFinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>#WNBAFinals<\/a> presented by&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kW0yOMP477\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>pic.twitter.com\/kW0yOMP477<\/a><\/p>&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WNBA\/status\/1974279175184715923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>October 4, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure><p>As the game entered its final frame, the A&rsquo;ja Wilson-led side turned up its defense and broke the Mercury&rsquo;s rhythm. Things further got out of control for the Mercury when Alyssa Thomas missed both her chances to take the lead with free throws in the final 24 seconds. Later with 13.5 seconds remaining, the Aces forward Jackie Young was fouled, and made it a three-point game. In the final seconds, Kahleah Copper gave the ball to Satou Sabally for the final shot, but the latter ended up missing it.&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Second chance points &gt;&gt;<br><br>DeWanna Bonner scores the bucket off the o-board<br><br>PHX-LVA | ESPN | WNBA Finals | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/YouTubeTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@YouTubeTV<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/eSBkkeZMaY\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>pic.twitter.com\/eSBkkeZMaY<\/a><\/p>&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WNBA\/status\/1974291743924498593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>October 4, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure><p>Kahleah Copper led Mercury with 21 points, 19 of which came in the first half, four rebounds and one assist. She was shooting 7-of-12 from the field and 5-of-9 from the three-point range. Satou Sabally finished with 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists while shooting 50% from the field, 42.9% from the three-point range, and 100% from the free throw line. Alyssa Thomas, Monique Akoa Makani, and DeWanna Bonner were other players who recorded double-digit scores.&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Alyssa Thomas makes it a one point game &#8252;&#65039;<br><br>PHX-LVA | ESPN | WNBA Finals | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/YouTubeTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@YouTubeTV<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/2nP865c9Vu\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>pic.twitter.com\/2nP865c9Vu<\/a><\/p>&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WNBA\/status\/1974295402787844239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>October 4, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure><p>Game 2 of the series is scheduled on Sunday, October 5, 2025 before action shifts to Phoenix for Game 3 and Game 4.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mm-layout mm-layout-type-post mm-layout-slot4\">\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Aces are leading the best-of-seven series 1-0. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":634185,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_mux_skip_reasons":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[10066,101,10078,102,3151],"class_list":["post-634184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wnba","tag-2025-wnba-finals","tag-aja-wilson","tag-dana-evans","tag-las-vegas-aces","tag-phoenix-mercury"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the 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