Aces and Mercury overcame challenges to reach the WNBA Finals
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas and Phoenix faced serious questions during the regular season about whether they were championship material. Then, both teams came dangerously close to being forced to clean out their lockers before the WNBA Finals.
The second-seeded Aces were a Jackie Young follow-up shot away from losing to Seattle in the opening round, and then were extended to overtime in Game 5 by an Indiana team that had more stars watching than playing. Meanwhile, the No. 4 Mercury found themselves down 20 points to Minnesota and facing a probable 2-0 semifinal series deficit against the league’s top-seeded team.
But somehow, both teams made it to the best-of-seven championship series, which opens Friday. These postseason escapes have shaped two opponents that aren’t likely to back down, regardless of the situation.
The Aces are -125 series favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
### Las Vegas’ Tough Road to the Finals
Las Vegas’ path to the finals has been anything but smooth. The Aces needed Young’s rebound shot to beat the Storm in the deciding Game 3 in the first round. Then, they were taken the distance by a Fever team that entered the playoffs without players such as Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, lost Kelsey Mitchell to injury in Game 5, and played overtime without Aliyah Boston after she fouled out.
“But now we’re here,” Aces point guard Chelsea Gray said. “We’re battle tested. Each series was completely different, but they were challenges. I’m proud of the way we responded to those challenges.”
### Phoenix Shows Resilience
The Mercury showed their own mettle after falling behind 59-39 with 5:45 left in the third quarter of their Game 2 semifinal series against Minnesota. They rallied to force overtime and won 89-83, stunning the Lynx to even the series at 1-1. Phoenix then won the following two games at home against a Lynx team that lost star Napheesa Collier toward the end of Game 3 due to injury.
“I think that comeback speaks volumes to the team and how we stay composed and go on runs and ride the waves,” Mercury star forward Alyssa Thomas said. “It’s the same in the finals. It’s going to be a hard-fought battle, a tough series. You don’t know what each game is going to bring.”
### History on the Line
No matter which team wins, the victor will claim a piece of WNBA history.
Las Vegas, which won titles in 2022 and 2023, is hoping to become the second team to win at least three championships in four years. The Houston Comets won the league’s first four titles consecutively from 1997-2000.
Phoenix hopes to add to its trophy haul from 2007, 2009, and 2014. Should the Mercury prevail, they would tie the Comets, Storm, and Lynx for the most WNBA championships.
### Both Teams Downplay Regular-Season Series
The Aces took three of four games against the Mercury in the regular season, but both sides said these are different circumstances.
“Playoff basketball, man. It’s totally different than the regular season,” Gray said.
Thomas added that Phoenix’s postseason success showed their seeding, which was based on the regular season, was not relevant.
### New WNBA Finals Format Creates Uncertainty
This is the first time the WNBA Finals will be a best-of-seven series; it had previously been a best-of-five. Neither side is certain what to expect from what could be the longest finals series in league history.
“It’s exciting being a part of the first one,” Thomas said. “At the same time, you don’t know what a best-of-seven brings, but nothing changes. You still approach it the same way.”
### Copper Looking for an Edge
Bulletin-board material may or may not emerge, but that won’t stop Mercury forward Kahleah Copper from searching for any slight that might give her and her team an advantage.
“At this point, I’m a psycho looking for something,” Copper said. “Give us an edge. Don’t pick us. It’s cool. I’m just wired a little different.”
### Fever Big Draw Even Without Clark
The Aces-Fever series averaged 1.56 million viewers, making it the most-watched league semifinals or conference finals series in WNBA history despite ratings magnet Caitlin Clark being sidelined due to a groin injury. The nine semifinals games, including the Mercury-Lynx series, averaged 1.34 million views, up 57% over last year.
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