WNBA Dimes
Hosted by Cookie
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Cookie based on prompt: Daily WNBA news. Scores, highlights, and general news. Call it WNBA Dimes
Transcript
Hey! It's Cookie O'Clock! Welcome to "WNBA Dimes," where we dish out the latest in women's basketball with a sprinkle of humor and a side of insight. I'm Brooke, your host, and today we're diving into the thrilling opener of the 2025 WNBA Finals.
What a game it was! The Las Vegas Aces narrowly edged out the Phoenix Mercury, clinching a nail-biting 89–86 victory at Michelob Ultra Arena. This win not only puts the Aces up 1-0 in this brand-new seven-game Finals format but also hands the Mercury their first Finals loss since 2021. The Aces were trailing most of the game before pulling off a late comeback, and if you ask me, that’s the kind of drama we live for!
Now, let's break down the game flow. The Mercury led after each of the first three quarters and even outscored the Aces 29–24 in the second quarter, holding a 50–45 advantage at the half. But the Aces weren’t having any of that in the second half! A 17–6 run late in the fourth quarter flipped the script, with A’ja Wilson upping her defensive game to cool off Phoenix’s offense. Talk about a sizzle turning into a fizzle!
And how about that bench impact from the Aces? Las Vegas's reserves set a franchise record with 41 points. Dana Evans was on fire, hitting five of her six three-point attempts and racking up 21 points total. Someone must have told her the basket was a cookie jar because she was nailing it!
A’ja Wilson, ever the MVP, recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, showing off her clutch skills by scoring 12 points in the final 14 minutes. Jewell Loyd impressed with 18 points in her Finals debut, while Chelsea Gray dished out 10 assists like it was nobody's business.
On the Phoenix side, Kahleah Copper kept the Mercury afloat with 21 points. Satou Sabally added 19 points, but fouling out late was a tough hit. And Alyssa Thomas nearly nabbed a triple-double, though those missed free throws in the final minute will likely haunt her tonight. You win some, you miss some!
The arena was a cauldron of excitement with over 10,000 fans, and the energy helped push the Aces over the finish line. One technical foul in the dying seconds sure kept us all on the edge of our seats.
Beyond the court, there's some drama brewing off it, too. League commissioner Cathy Engelbert is juggling dialogues about pay equity and officiating standards as Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations loom. Napheesa Collier has been vocal, adding an extra layer of intrigue as the Finals heat up. Here's hoping cooler heads—and warmer wallets—prevail.
And let's spotlight a true wonder woman, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus. Just nine weeks after giving birth, she's back on the court, balancing motherhood and finals basketball like a pro—or as her teammates call her, "Superwoman." She's a testament to resilience and the evolving support for athlete moms. She even pumps milk during halftime! Talk about multi-tasking!
Looking ahead, Game 2 is just around the corner on October 5th. The Aces will aim to ride the wave of their home-court advantage, while the Mercury will be strategizing on how to curtail those unexpected bench points and tighten up their game. I’m already popping my popcorn!
That wraps up today's episode of "WNBA Dimes." Thanks for spending your time with me on Cookie O'Clock. Join us again after Game 2 for more insights, updates, and, of course, a sprinkle of humor. Until next time, keep shooting for the stars—or at least the basket!
## Score and Result
In Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Finals on October 3, the Las Vegas Aces narrowly defeated the Phoenix Mercury 89–86 at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. This victory gives the Aces a 1–0 lead in the best-of-seven series, marking the first Finals under the new seven-game format. Las Vegas trailed much of the contest but executed a late comeback to seal the win, handing Phoenix its first Finals loss since 2021 in their championship rematch. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/03/wnba-finals-2025-aces-mercury-game-1-report?utm_source=openai))
## Game Flow and Turning Points
The Mercury led after each of the first three quarters, outscoring the Aces 29–24 in the second quarter to hold a 50–45 halftime advantage. However, Las Vegas flipped the script in the second half, outscoring Phoenix 44–36 across the third and fourth quarters. A decisive 17–6 Las Vegas run late in the fourth quarter, sparked by sharpshooting reserves, transformed a three-point deficit into the final three-point margin. A’ja Wilson’s post-defensive adjustments, including deploying a zone coverage that cooled off Phoenix’s offense, were pivotal in this rally. ([espn.in](https://www.espn.in/wnba/recap/_/gameId/401820322?utm_source=openai))
## Bench Impact and Defensive Adjustments
Las Vegas’s reserves combined for a franchise-record 41 bench points in a Finals game, equaling their second-most bench points in any 2025 outing. Dana Evans led that charge, drilling five of her six three-point attempts. The Aces, who had minimal zone defense practice during the season, switched to a 2-3 zone in the fourth quarter, disrupting Phoenix’s rhythm and limiting open looks. This strategy forced Satou Sabally into contested shots and drew her fifth foul, greatly contributing to the Mercury’s late scoring drought. ([espn.in](https://www.espn.in/wnba/story/_/id/46478832/wnba-finals-game-1-live-tracker-mercury-aces-updates-2025?utm_source=openai))
## Las Vegas Key Performers
— A’ja Wilson: The four-time MVP tallied 21 points and secured 10 rebounds, notching a double-double in front of the home crowd. Wilson scored 12 of her points over the final 14 minutes, emphasizing her veteran poise in clutch moments. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/03/wnba-finals-2025-aces-mercury-game-1-report?utm_source=openai))
— Dana Evans: Coming off the bench, Evans also poured in 21 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter. Her barrage of three-pointers (5 of 6) was critical to the comeback, as she matched Wilson for the game-high point total. ([espn.in](https://www.espn.in/wnba/story/_/id/46478832/wnba-finals-game-1-live-tracker-mercury-aces-updates-2025?utm_source=openai))
— Jewell Loyd: Making her Finals debut, Loyd contributed 18 points, including 10 in the first quarter to keep the Aces within striking distance early. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/03/wnba-finals-2025-aces-mercury-game-1-report?utm_source=openai))
— Chelsea Gray: The veteran point guard dished out 10 assists, orchestrating the offense and facilitating both starters and reserves throughout the game. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/03/wnba-finals-2025-aces-mercury-game-1-report?utm_source=openai))
## Phoenix Standouts
— Kahleah Copper: Continuing her postseason excellence, Copper led Phoenix with 21 points and kept the Mercury in front for much of the night, including a 50-point half alongside Sabally. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/03/wnba-finals-2025-aces-mercury-game-1-report?utm_source=openai))
— Satou Sabally: Sabally added 19 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Her aggressive drives and mid-range game had Phoenix in control until she reached her fifth foul, contributing to the shift in momentum. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/03/wnba-finals-2025-aces-mercury-game-1-report?utm_source=openai))
— Alyssa Thomas: The offseason acquisition flirted with a triple-double, recording nine assists and eight rebounds. Thomas’s all-around performance underscored her value, despite missing two critical free throws in the final minute that could have tied the game. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/10/03/phoenix-mercury-last-vegas-aces-wnba-finals-preview-2025?utm_source=openai))
## Atmosphere and Attendance
The Finals opener drew an announced crowd of 10,266 at Michelob Ultra Arena, creating a raucous home-court environment that energized the Aces’s comeback. Fans witnessed high-intensity moments, including a technical foul called on the Mercury in the closing seconds, which momentarily swung momentum before Las Vegas clinched the victory. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_WNBA_season?utm_source=openai))
## Off-Court Narratives
Off the court, league commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed growing tensions between the WNBA and its players regarding pay equity and officiating standards. Accusations from Players Association vice president Napheesa Collier, who criticized perceived dismissiveness from league leadership, have intensified as the current Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations approach. This backdrop adds intrigue to the Finals, as the league aims to showcase its product amid calls for greater investment in women’s basketball. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/03/wnba-finals-2025-aces-mercury-game-1-report?utm_source=openai))
## Human-Interest Spotlight: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus
In an inspiring subplot, veteran forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus returned to action just nine weeks after giving birth, averaging seven minutes per game since her September 9 comeback. Dubbed “Superwoman” by teammates, Parker-Tyus has balanced motherhood and professional basketball, even pumping breast milk during halftime. Now participating in her first Finals series, her journey highlights resilience and the evolving support structures for mothers in elite sports. ([people.com](https://people.com/cheyenne-parker-tyus-has-been-in-a-blissful-state-since-returning-to-action-after-giving-birth-11823599?utm_source=openai))
## Looking Ahead: Game 2 Preview
Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA Finals is scheduled for Sunday, October 5 at 3 p.m. ET, again at Michelob Ultra Arena, with ABC and ESPN Deportes carrying the broadcast. The Aces will look to capitalize on home-court momentum, while the Mercury aim to adjust their strategy—potentially by limiting bench production and avoiding foul trouble—to even the series. Both teams will emphasize tighter free-throw execution and disciplined offensive sets as the Finals intensify. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/03/wnba-finals-2025-aces-mercury-game-1-report?utm_source=openai))
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