Who is Dana Evans? Meet the Aces reserve who stole the show in Las Vegas' Game 1 win over Mercury

David Suggs

•
Who is Dana Evans? Meet the Aces reserve who stole the show in Las Vegas' Game 1 win over Mercury image

Facing a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit -- and a potential 1-0 deficit in the WNBA Finals -- the Las Vegas Aces turned to a relative unknown to find their rhythm.

Dana Evans produced fireworks throughout the final quarter, tallying nine points and a steal to power the Aces' comeback efforts against the Phoenix Mercury. Each basket proved more notable than the last.

Evans has spurned the spotlight throughout her still burgeoning career. But on Friday, she broke the fourth wall, establishing herself as a pivotal piece of the Aces' puzzle. Her three-point shooting and dogged defense was among the most valuable contributions in Las Vegas' 89-86 win over the Mercury on Friday.

Here's what you need to know about Evans, the hero the Aces didn't know they needED against Phoenix.

MORE: Aces come back and surge in fourth quarter to win Game 1

Who is Dana Evans?

Evans is a combo guard who comes off the bench for the Aces. The 27-year old shined at Louisville, twice capturing ACC Player of the Year honors before the Dallas Wings selected her No. 13 overall in the 2021 draft.

A Gary, Ind. native, Evans earned All-Rookie honors in her first season in the WNBA. Partway through her rookie year, she was dealt to the Chicago Sky in exchange for Shyla Heal, a 2022 first-round pick swap and a 2022 third-round pick.

Evans spent the better part of four seasons in the Windy City, serving dutifully on the team's bench. She showed flashes as a three-point specialist and backup ball-handler, placing third in Sixth Player of the Year voting in 2023.

Nevertheless, Evans' performances didn't command much attention. After seeing her role diminish throughout the 2024 season, Evans was summarily dealt to the Aces in the offseason. She played all 44 games for Las Vegas in the regular season, emerging as a competent backup for Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young.

Dana Evans stats today

  • Minutes: 26
  • Points: 21
  • Rebounds: 2
  • Assists: 3
  • Steals: 4
  • Blocks: 0
  • Turnovers: 0
  • Fouls: 0
  • FG: 8-13 (61.5%)
  • 3P: 5-6 (83.3%)
  • FT: 2-2 (0%)

Evans enjoyed arguably the greatest night of her career on Friday, putting forth a two-way performance for the ages off the bench. Seeing increased minutes amid Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young's struggles, Evans powered Las Vegas' fourth-quarter comeback, lacing a trio of triples, the final of which gave the Aces a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

In addition to her three-point shooting, Evans also recorded four steals. Her two-way exploits made Finals history; Evans became the first player to tally five made threes and four steals in the same game.

Evans' impact was bore out in the final score. Unsurprisingly, she was the name on the lips of those who watched the match unfold.

MORE: Cathy Engelbert rails against 'inaccuracies' in Napheesa Collier presser, denies claims that she roasted Caitlin Clark

Dana Evans highlights vs. Mercury

Evans' three-point exploits proved timely against Phoenix. She also offered some shake as a secondary ball-handler and playmaker.

David Suggs

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.