Dana Evans WNBA Finals heroics lift Aces bench past Mercury

Dana Evans powered the Las Vegas Aces with 21 points off the bench as they edged the Phoenix Mercury 89-86 in WNBA Finals Game 1. Aces’ Depth Proves to Be the Difference

The Las Vegas Aces kicked off the WNBA Finals in thrilling fashion, edging past the Phoenix Mercury 89-86 in Game 1. While stars like A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young usually headline the scoring sheet, it was the Aces’ bench unit that stole the show.

Head coach Becky Hammon had called this group the strongest bench she’s had since taking over in Las Vegas, and Friday night they proved her right. Dana Evans (21 points) and Jewell Loyd (18 points) fueled a 41-16 bench scoring advantage, a performance that ultimately swung the outcome in favor of Las Vegas.

Dana Evans Delivers a Historic Performance

Evans, who has been urged by Hammon to shoot with more confidence, stepped into the spotlight. She hit five 3-pointers, tying the record for the most by a reserve in a WNBA Finals game. More impressively, Evans became just the third player in Finals history to lead or co-lead scoring while coming off the bench.

Her aggressive style and speed on the floor provided the spark the Aces needed. As A’ja Wilson put it:

“Dana’s our battery. She makes us play faster, and we go as she goes.”

A’ja Wilson Adds All-Around Brilliance

Although it wasn’t Wilson’s most efficient shooting night (7-for-16), the 2025 WNBA MVP still posted 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists without a turnover. That line etched her name into history as the first player in Finals history with a 20-10-5-0 stat line.

Even with stars Jackie Young (10 points) and Chelsea Gray (8 points) struggling from the field, Wilson’s steady production and Evans’ shooting surge balanced out the offense.

Defensive Adjustments Seal the Win

The turning point came in the second half when Hammon switched to a zone defense — something the Aces rarely use. The adjustment slowed down Phoenix, which had been shooting over 50% from the floor through three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, Las Vegas held the Mercury to just 1-for-8 shooting, while forcing 14 turnovers overall that led to 20 transition points. The defensive shift not only cooled down Kahleah Copper (19 first-half points) but also gave the Aces the momentum they needed to close strong.

Missed Opportunities Haunt Phoenix

The Mercury had their chances late. With 24.6 seconds left, Alyssa Thomas missed two critical free throws that could have put Phoenix back ahead. According to Elias Sports Bureau, it was the first time in WNBA playoff history that a player missed both tying free throws in the final two minutes.

Phoenix also had a final possession to tie with 13.5 seconds left, but Las Vegas locked in defensively to preserve the win.

Looking Ahead: Can Phoenix Bounce Back?

The Mercury have been here before. They’ve lost three Game 1s in this postseason alone, yet remain unbeaten in all their other matchups (5-0). For Phoenix, the focus now shifts to adjustments — particularly handling Las Vegas’ zone defense and limiting turnovers.

Copper expressed confidence postgame:

“It’s about going back to the drawing board. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again.”

Why the Bench Matters More Than Ever

In the first-ever best-of-seven WNBA Finals, depth could be the deciding factor. While Phoenix leaned heavily on its starters, Las Vegas showed the value of having scorers like Evans and Loyd ready to step in when stars struggle.

If Evans continues her hot streak and the Aces’ bench maintains this level of production, Las Vegas could be on track to defend its championship.

Dana Evans WNBA Finals