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WNBA Finals 2025 live score: Aces vs. Mercury updates, results, highlights from Game 1

Jake Mozarsky

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The stage is set for a historic WNBA Finals, a "Duel in the Desert," pitting the perennial contender Las Vegas Aces against the new-look Phoenix Mercury.

Las Vegas — who won back-to-back Finals in 2022 and 2023 — survived a five-game semifinal series against a short-handed Indiana Fever, just after beating the Seattle Storm in the first round 2-1 to advance to the Finals for the third time in four years. Phoenix relied on a physical, aggressive style of play to dispatch both the defending champion Liberty and the top-seeded Lynx, setting the stage for a compelling contrast of styles in this best-of-seven series.

The primary storyline centers on the league's MVP hierarchy and the high-stakes battle between the Aces' A'ja Wilson and the Mercury's Alyssa Thomas. Wilson, who was just named a record-setting four-time WNBA MVP in 2025, is the anchor for Las Vegas and remains the league’s most dominant scorer and defender. In Game 5 against the Fever, she scored a game-high 35 points and added seven rebounds in the overtime thriller.

Wilson will be matched up against Thomas, the versatile forward who finished third in the MVP race and is the defensive anchor and triple-double threat for Phoenix. The series will likely be decided by which star can impose her will: Wilson leading the league's best offense, or Thomas commanding the playoffs' stingiest defense.

The Aces, who went 3-1 against Phoenix during the regular season, will need to rely on the supporting cast of Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray to withstand the Mercury's suffocating defense. Phoenix, fueled by the playmaking of Thomas and the resurgence of scorer Kahleah Copper, will need to disrupt Wilson's rhythm and capitalize on their momentum from knocking off two top contenders. With the Finals expanded to best-of-seven for the first time in WNBA history, this championship series has all the ingredients for a dramatic and potentially record-breaking conclusion to the 2025 season.

The Sporting News has you covered with all the live updates from Game 1 in Las Vegas on Friday night. Follow all the action below.

STREAM: Watch Mercury vs. Aces live with Fubo (free trial)

Aces vs. Mercury score

 

WNBA FINALS HQ: Live WNBA scores | Full WNBA schedule | Updated WNBA bracket

WNBA Finals live updates, highlights from Aces vs. Mercury Game 1

9:25 p.m.: Trailing by 3, Las Vegas forces a turnover, and Gray is fouled on a three-point attempt.

9:18 p.m.: Monique Akoa Makani hits a three for Phoenix, and then Kierstan Bell responds with one of her own.

Phoenix is 9-for-18 from behind the arc, while Las Vegas is 5-for-17.

9:15 p.m.: We are underway for the second half in Las Vegas, with the Aces trailing 50-45.

Halftime: Mercury 50, Aces 45

8:56 p.m.: At halftime, the Mercury lead by five in Game 1. Copper leads all scoring with 19. None of the Aces are in double digits, with Wilson leading scoring with nine.

8:54 p.m.: Copper hits her fifth three of the first half and is up to 19 on the night. Though, Lloyd follows it up with one of her own to make it 50-45.

8:48 p.m.: Phoenix has been leading for most of the game, and once again a Copper three puts them up four.

The next possession, she hits another three, her fourth of the night. She is up to 16 points.

8:42 p.m.: Evans has had a strong game so far, with 10 points on the night. Las Vegas still trails, 41-38.

8:38 p.m.: Copper hits her second consecutive three, this time from the left side of the arc to give the Mercury a 31-28 lead. Then, Wilson gets to the free throw line, where she only makes one of two.

The next possession, the Aces force another turnover and Evans hits another three to give them the lead. But, it was short-lived, as Sabally hits a three at the other end to make it 34-32.

8:36 p.m.: Dana Evans gives Las Vegas the lead with a 22-foot two-pointer, and it's 26-25. 

Though, Phoenix answers right back with a three from Copper.

End of the first quarter: Mercury 21, Aces 21

8:31 p.m: At the end of one, the game is tied. Las Vegas ended the quarter on a 7-0 run to level it at 21.

8:29 p.m.: Thomas has had a good game so far. She has six points on 3-for-3 from the field as the Mercury maintains their lead.

8:22 p.m.: Both teams have exchanged punches early on, with Copper and Jewell Lloyd each scoring for their teams. Phoenix leads, 17-10.

8:19 p.m.: The Mercury and Aces continue to exchange shots, with Wilson getting her second bucket of the game and Natasha Mack exchanging baskets. 

8:14 p.m: Phoenix has went on a 10-0 run. Satou Sabally hit two free throws, then followed it up with a layup to make it 10-4.

8:10 p.m.: The Aces score the first points, and it's no other than Wilson, who hits a mid-range jumper. 

Copper responds with one of her own.

8:08 p.m.: The Mercury and Aces have tipped off and we are underway in Las Vegas.

The starting 5⃣ for the @PhoenixMercury!

PHX-LVA | ESPN | WNBA Finals | @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/GtNf4ORUGZ

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 4, 2025

7:53 p.m.: The Aces have released their starting five for tonight.

7:40 p.m.: There are a lot of storylines in this series, but none is bigger than A'Ja Wilson vs Alyssa Thomas.

The two finished top three in WNBA MVP voting, and will be paired against one another throughout the series. 

7:08 p.m.: The Mercury have also taken the court.

Outside of Thomas, Phoenix is looking for a big series from Copper. She is averaging 15 points per game in the postseason.

7:00 p.m.: Once again, the Aces are giving fans rally towels before tonight's matchup.

6:50 p.m.: Chelsea Gray is on the court for warmups.

Gray came up big in overtime at Game 5 and finished with 17 points in the Aces' victory. She was surprised by her mom, aunt and brother before Game 1.

6:30 p.m.: The WNBA have posted some of the player arrivals before tonight's game. 

5:45 p.m.: Alyssa Thomas has arrived before Game 1. The Mercury superstar is hoping to lead Phoenix to an upset win over Las Vegas.

Thomas finished third in WNBA MVP voting, behind the Aces' A'Ja Wilson and the Lynx's Napheesa Collier.

5:00 p.m.: The Aces are ready for Game 1. They'll be decked out in their black jerseys, just like in Game 5.

The Mercury will be decked out in their white jerseys.

MORE WNBA FINALS NEWS:

Where to watch WNBA Finals tonight

Aces vs. Mercury start time

  • Date: Friday, October 3
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT

Fever vs. Aces will start at 8 p.m. ET on Friday night Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

What channel is Aces vs. Mercury on today?

  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Live Stream: ESPN+, Fubo

Game 1 of the WNBA Finals will be broadcast live on ESPN. The game will also be on the ESPN app, along with Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.

WNBA Finals schedule 2025

DateGameTime (ET)TV/Live stream
Fri., Oct. 3Game 18 p.m. ESPN, Fubo
Sun., Oct. 5Game 23 p.m.ABC, Fubo
Wed., Oct. 8Game 38 p.m. ESPN, Fubo
Fri., Oct. 10Game 48 p.m.ESPN, Fubo
Sun., Oct. 12Game 5*3 p.m. ABC, Fubo
Wed., Oct. 15Game 6*8 p.m.ESPN, Fubo
Fri., Oct. 17Game 7*8 p.m.ESPN, Fubo

*If necessary

Jake Mozarsky

Jake Mozarsky joined The Sporting News as an Editorial Intern in August 2025 after earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University. He has previously written for Marquee Sports Network, Chicago This Week, Inside NU and The Daily Northwestern.