Aces Edge Mercury in Thrilling WNBA Showdown
Friday, October 3, 2025, 8:00 PM ET · Michelob ULTRA Arena
Las Vegas Aces 89, Phoenix Mercury 86, final. Our WNBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Phoenix Mercury vs Las Vegas Aces?
Las Vegas Aces beat Phoenix Mercury 89-86 at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 3, 2025.
The Las Vegas Aces narrowly defeated the Phoenix Mercury 89-86 in a thrilling WNBA matchup at the Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 4, 2025. This victory not only showcased the Aces' resilience but also extended their dominance in the series, as they now lead 3-1 against the Mercury for the season. The game was marked by a series of intense scoring plays in the fourth quarter, highlighting the competitive spirit of both teams.
In terms of recent form, the Aces entered the game with a record of 7-3 in their last ten outings, having won their most recent match against the Indiana Fever 107-98. Their average points scored during this stretch stood at 89.1, while they allowed 78.9 points per game, indicating a strong offensive and solid defensive performance. At home, the Aces boasted a record of 5-1, further emphasizing their advantage on familiar ground.
The Mercury, on the other hand, had a mixed record of 5-5 in their last ten games but were riding a three-game winning streak prior to this matchup. They had recently secured victories against the Minnesota Lynx, including an 86-81 win in their last game. The Mercury averaged 80.5 points scored and 80.3 points allowed in their recent games, reflecting a more balanced approach but with less offensive firepower compared to the Aces.
Historically, the Aces have performed well against the Mercury, winning 7 of the last 9 encounters. This season alone, the Aces had previously defeated the Mercury in three out of four meetings, including a decisive 83-61 victory on August 22, 2025. The Aces' ability to consistently outperform the Mercury in recent matchups added an extra layer of anticipation to this game.
In terms of injuries, both teams faced significant challenges. The Aces were without Ta'Niya Latson and NaLyssa Smith, the latter sidelined due to a leg injury. The Mercury were missing Kelsey Plum and Kahleah Copper, who were out due to lower leg and ankle injuries, respectively. Additionally, Valeriane Ayayi, Kyara Linskens, and Jovana Nogic were also unavailable for the Mercury for reasons not related to injury. These absences undoubtedly impacted both teams' strategies and rotations throughout the game.
The betting market reflected the competitive nature of the matchup, with the Aces being favored to win, as indicated by the odds provided by the market. The Aces' home advantage and their strong record contributed to their status as favorites.
As the game unfolded, the fourth quarter proved to be particularly dramatic. The Aces and Mercury exchanged leads multiple times, with key plays from both sides keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Monique Akoa Makani's two-point shot put the Mercury ahead 82-80, but A'ja Wilson quickly equalized with a layup. Dana Evans then hit a crucial three-pointer, giving the Aces a 85-82 lead. The back-and-forth continued, with Alyssa Thomas making significant contributions for the Mercury, but ultimately, the Aces secured the win with Jackie Young's free throws sealing the deal.
Overall, this matchup was a testament to the competitive spirit of the WNBA, showcasing the talent and determination of both the Aces and the Mercury. The Aces' ability to maintain their winning streak against the Mercury adds to their confidence as they continue their pursuit of success in the league.
Injury report
- Ta'Niya LatsonOutCoach's DecisionLas Vegas Aces
- NaLyssa SmithOutLegLas Vegas Aces
- Kelsey PlumOutLower LegPhoenix Mercury
- Kahleah CopperOutAnklePhoenix Mercury
- Valeriane AyayiOutNot Injury RelatedPhoenix Mercury
- Kyara LinskensOutNot Injury RelatedPhoenix Mercury
- Jovana NogicOutNot Injury RelatedPhoenix Mercury
Leaders
- PointsA'ja Wilson21Las Vegas Aces
- AssistsChelsea Gray10Las Vegas Aces
- ReboundsA'ja Wilson10Las Vegas Aces
- PointsKahleah Copper21Phoenix Mercury
- AssistsAlyssa Thomas9Phoenix Mercury
- ReboundsAlyssa Thomas10Phoenix Mercury
Recent form
Las Vegas Aces
Last 10: 7-3Streak W189.1 scored · 78.9 allowed per game5-1 at home
- W107-98vs Indiana FeverOct 1
- L83-90at Indiana FeverSep 28
- W84-72at Indiana FeverSep 26
- W90-68vs Indiana FeverSep 24
- L73-89vs Indiana FeverSep 21
- W74-73vs Seattle StormSep 19
- L83-86at Seattle StormSep 17
- W102-77vs Seattle StormSep 15
- W103-75at Los Angeles SparksSep 12
- W92-61vs Chicago SkySep 10
Phoenix Mercury
Last 10: 5-5Streak W380.5 scored · 80.3 allowed per game2-3 away
- W86-81vs Minnesota LynxSep 29
- W84-76vs Minnesota LynxSep 27
- W89-83at Minnesota LynxSep 23
- L69-82at Minnesota LynxSep 21
- W79-73vs New York LibertySep 20
- W86-60at New York LibertySep 18
- L69-76vs New York LibertySep 14
- L76-97at Dallas WingsSep 12
- L83-88vs Los Angeles SparksSep 10
- L84-87at Connecticut SunSep 6
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | - | 9 | L2 | .775 | 31 |
| Golden State | 2 | 11 | W4 | .725 | 29 |
| Las Vegas | 4 | 13 | W3 | .675 | 27 |
| Dallas | 7 | 16 | W4 | .600 | 24 |
| Portland | 15 | 24 | L1 | .400 | 16 |
| Los Angeles | 16 | 25 | W2 | .375 | 15 |
| Phoenix | 17 | 26 | W1 | .350 | 14 |
| Seattle | 23 | 32 | L1 | .200 | 8 |
Box score
| Stat | Phoenix Mercury | Las Vegas Aces |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 31-66 | 33-72 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 46 |
| Three-pointers | 14-36 | 9-27 |
| Three-point % | 39 | 33 |
| Free throws | 10-13 | 14-20 |
| Free throw % | 77 | 70 |
| Rebounds | 35 | 33 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 29 | 25 |
| Assists | 20 | 24 |
| Steals | 4 | 9 |
| Blocks | 4 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 5 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 20 | 10 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 13 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 34 |
| Fouls | 17 | 12 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 5 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter50-49Kierstan Bell makes 17-foot pullup jump shot (Chelsea Gray assists)
- 3rd Quarter50-51NaLyssa Smith makes driving layup (A'ja Wilson assists)
- 3rd Quarter52-51Satou Sabally makes 12-foot pullup jump shot
- 3rd Quarter54-51Kahleah Copper makes driving layup
- 3rd Quarter57-51Monique Akoa Makani makes 24-foot three point jumper (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 3rd Quarter57-54Kierstan Bell makes 26-foot three point jumper (Chelsea Gray assists)
- 3rd Quarter57-55Chelsea Gray makes free throw flagrant 1 of 3
- 3rd Quarter57-56Chelsea Gray makes free throw flagrant 2 of 3
- 3rd Quarter57-57Chelsea Gray makes free throw flagrant 3 of 3
- 3rd Quarter60-57DeWanna Bonner makes 23-foot three point jumper (Kahleah Copper assists)
- 3rd Quarter63-57Monique Akoa Makani makes 23-foot three point jumper (Natasha Mack assists)
- 3rd Quarter64-57Monique Akoa Makani makes free throw 1 of 3
- 3rd Quarter65-57Monique Akoa Makani makes free throw 2 of 3
- 3rd Quarter66-57Monique Akoa Makani makes free throw 3 of 3
- 3rd Quarter66-59A'ja Wilson makes 4-foot layup (Dana Evans assists)
- 3rd Quarter66-61Jewell Loyd makes driving layup (Chelsea Gray assists)
- 3rd Quarter66-63A'ja Wilson makes 12-foot two point shot
- 3rd Quarter66-64A'ja Wilson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter66-65A'ja Wilson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter69-65Satou Sabally makes 26-foot three point jumper (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 3rd Quarter69-67Dana Evans makes 5-foot driving floating jump shot
- 3rd Quarter71-67Satou Sabally makes layup (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 4th Quarter74-67Satou Sabally makes 25-foot three pointer
- 4th Quarter74-70Jewell Loyd makes 24-foot three point jumper (Chelsea Gray assists)
- 4th Quarter76-70DeWanna Bonner makes tip shot
- 4th Quarter76-71A'ja Wilson makes technical free throw
- 4th Quarter76-72A'ja Wilson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter76-75Dana Evans makes 25-foot three point shot (A'ja Wilson assists)
- 4th Quarter77-75Alyssa Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter77-78Dana Evans makes 27-foot three point jumper (Jackie Young assists)
- 4th Quarter80-78Sami Whitcomb makes 25-foot three point jumper (Monique Akoa Makani assists)
- 4th Quarter80-80Chelsea Gray makes driving layup (Jackie Young assists)
- 4th Quarter82-80Monique Akoa Makani makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter82-82A'ja Wilson makes 5-foot layup (Chelsea Gray assists)
- 4th Quarter82-85Dana Evans makes 23-foot three point jumper (Chelsea Gray assists)
- 4th Quarter82-87A'ja Wilson makes 10-foot two point shot (Chelsea Gray assists)
- 4th Quarter84-87Alyssa Thomas makes 6-foot layup (Satou Sabally assists)
- 4th Quarter86-87Alyssa Thomas makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter86-88Jackie Young makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter86-89Jackie Young makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Las Vegas Aces, below favours Phoenix Mercury.
Venue
- Michelob ULTRA ArenaLas Vegas, NV
- Attendance10266
- OfficialsAngelica Suffren, Eric Brewton, Randy Richardson, Jenna Reneau
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WNBA rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Aces Defeat Mercury 100-82 in WNBA MatchupSep 24, 2026
- Aces Dominate Mercury in WNBA ShowdownJul 11, 2026
- Aces Triumph Over Mercury in WNBA ClashJun 17, 2026
- Mercury Defeat Aces 99-66 in Dominant PerformanceMay 9, 2026
- Aces Defeat Mercury in Competitive WNBA MatchupOct 10, 2025