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 back to WNBA Dimes, where we break down all the hoops action with just the right amount of sass. I’m your host, Brooke, and today, we’ve got some juicy recaps from Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA Finals. So let’s dive in!
First up, the unstoppable Las Vegas Aces are shining brighter than ever! They snagged a 91-78 win over the Phoenix Mercury, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. After a nail-biter in Game 1, the Aces came out like they’d had an extra shot of espresso, leaving the Mercury a bit shaken. This win nudges the Aces just two victories away from clinching their third title in four seasons. Imagine that trophy case, right? With Games 3 and 4 moving to Phoenix, the Aces are feeling pretty cocky—and why wouldn’t they?
Now, let’s talk about the marvel known as Jackie Young. She didn’t just show up; she exploded onto the scene with a playoff career-high of 32 points. And get this, she set a new WNBA Finals record by scoring 21 points in just the third quarter. It was like watching fireworks on fast forward. Young wasn’t just hitting threes; she was all over the place with floaters, drives, and a sprinkle of magic dust. She’s become an X-factor, and we’re all here for it.
Of course, we can’t forget A’ja Wilson. When is she not making headlines? Adding 28 points, 14 rebounds, and a few assists for good measure, Wilson was a relentless force. At one point, she outscored the entire Mercury team in the second quarter. Who does that? If you’re not rooting for her, you might want to check your pulse.
Now, let’s chat about Phoenix. Coach Nate Tibbets is not a happy camper. Defensive lapses and inconsistency have been haunting the Mercury. Sure, Kahleah Copper popped in 23 points, and Satou Sabally chipped in 22, but they need to bolster that bench. Scoring a measly 16 points combined through two games? Yikes. If Phoenix wants to avoid a 3-0 black hole, they need to rediscover their spark, pronto.
And off the court, it’s not all sunshine and confetti. There’s been chatter about officiating and player compensation. It’s been a hot topic, especially after some foul play drama in Game 1. The league’s Commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, is set to address this at a mid-series press conference—can’t wait to see how that unfolds.
Looking ahead, Game 3 is just around the corner, happening in Phoenix. The home crowd will be buzzing, and the Mercury are hoping to ride that energy. Watch for Alyssa Thomas trying to keep Wilson at bay, and Diana Taurasi, as the ultimate motivator, will be urging her team to push the pace.
The Aces, on the other hand, are keen to keep their foot on the gas pedal. If they split the games in Phoenix, they’ll be sitting pretty. But if the Mercury can snag a win, oh boy, Friday’s Game 4 will be a doozy.
That’s all for today, folks. Thanks for tuning into WNBA Dimes. Until next time, keep the spirit of the game alive, and remember, it’s always Cookie O’Clock somewhere!
**WNBA Dimes: October 6, 2025**
**Game 2 Recap and Series Overview**
The Las Vegas Aces extended their dominance in the 2025 WNBA Finals with a commanding 91–78 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday night, handing Las Vegas a 2–0 lead in the best-of-seven series. After a tight Game 1 that ended 89–86, the Aces came out firing in Game 2, fueled by balanced scoring and suffocating defense. The win on October 5 marks the Aces’ third straight Finals victory dating back to their 2023 championship, and puts them two wins away from their third title in four seasons. With Games 3 and 4 shifting to Phoenix later this week, Las Vegas has home-court advantage and is brimming with confidence following its road-block performance in Game 2 ([bet.com](https://www.bet.com/article/9l10xv/aces-cruise-to-2-0-lead-in-wnba-finals?utm_source=openai)).
**Jackie Young’s Record-Setting Explosion**
Guard Jackie Young emerged as the most electrifying story of the night, dropping a playoff career-high 32 points and setting a new WNBA Finals single-quarter scoring record with 21 points in the third stanza. Young’s barrage included a mix of three-pointers, floaters and aggressive drives to the rim, punctuating her third-quarter onslaught that effectively put the game out of reach. In addition to her scoring outburst, she hauled in eight rebounds, dished two assists and forced a steal, showcasing her all-around value. Young’s evolution into a bona fide star—just four seasons into her career—was on full display, complementing Las Vegas’s “Big 3” and underscoring her status as the team’s X-factor ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/10/05/jackie-young-wnba-finals/?utm_source=openai)).
**A’ja Wilson’s Dominant Supporting Role**
While Young garnered headlines, perennial MVP candidate A’ja Wilson continued her postseason mastery, pouring in 28 points to go along with 14 rebounds and three assists. Wilson’s efficiency was on full display as she outscored the entire Mercury roster in the second quarter, carving up Phoenix with mid-range jumpers, powerful post moves and timely kick-out passes. Her 14 boards included several key offensive glass possessions that sustained Las Vegas’s momentum. With 257 points through the first two series—already the second-most in a single WNBA playoff run—Wilson’s consistent production remains the foundation of the Aces’ title push ([swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba-content/65477/wnba-finals-game-2-aces-win-mercury-championship-aja-wilson-mvp-unstoppable-dominant-goat-greatest?utm_source=openai)).
**Mercury’s Defensive Woes and Offensive Inconsistency**
Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbets voiced frustration after the game, criticizing his team’s inability to contain the Aces’ star trio and lamenting lapses in defensive communication. The Mercury have now allowed an average of 89.5 points through the first two Finals contests, and their bench has contributed just 16 points combined—far below the regular-season average. While Kahleah Copper (23 points on 50 percent shooting) and Satou Sabally (22 points) showed flashes, the team’s three-point stroke (just 27 percent) and interior defense—particularly against Wilson’s post play—have been liabilities. Phoenix must rediscover its 3-point accuracy and bench scoring swing if it hopes to avoid a daunting 3–0 hole when the series shifts home this week ([nbcsports.com](https://www.nbcsports.com/wnba/news/down-2-0-in-wnba-finals-mercury-need-a-jolt-with-series-moving-to-phoenix/?utm_source=openai)).
**Off-Court Storylines: Pay, Officiating and Player Advocacy**
Off the court, tensions simmered following reports of player frustration over officiating inconsistencies and ongoing conversations about WNBA player compensation. During Game 1, several Phoenix players took issue with what they perceived as uneven foul calls in critical stretches—a debate reignited after Game 2’s physical third quarter. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is set to address these concerns at a mid-series press conference, amid broader league talks on increasing salaries and enhancing travel standards. The spotlight on governance and fair play adds another layer of intrigue as the Finals progress, underscoring the players’ growing influence in shaping the league’s future ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/03/wnba-finals-2025-aces-mercury-game-1-report?utm_source=openai)).
**Looking Ahead: Game 3 Preview**
Attention now turns to Game 3, slated for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET at Footprint Center in Phoenix. The Mercury will look to rally in front of their home crowd, aiming to tighten rotations and exploit matchups against Las Vegas’s bench. Key matchups include Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas defending Wilson in the post and Suns veteran Diana Taurasi (serving as a motivational coach) urging her former teammates to capitalize on transition opportunities. The Aces, meanwhile, will seek to maintain their offensive efficiency and leverage their depth, with Chelsea Gray potentially orchestrating from the point to relieve pressure on Young and Wilson. A split in Phoenix could swing the series back to Las Vegas with the Aces firmly in control; a Mercury win, however, would shift the momentum heading into Friday’s Game 4 ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/46443264/wnba-finals-2025-las-vegas-aces-phoenix-mercury-schedule-games-scores-results-news-highlights?utm_source=openai)).
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