Becky Hammon’s Bold Strategy Nobody Saw Coming Paid Off As Las Vegas Aces’ Depth Stunned Phoenix Mercury In Game 1

The Las Vegas Aces edged out the Phoenix Mercury in a thrilling Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday. Coach Becky Hammon, known for her star-driven title runs in 2022 and 2023, unleashed an unexpected weapon from her bench.

With Dana Evans’ WNBA record-setting stellar performance, Becky played it cheeky while setting an unbeatable composition against Phoenix.

Becky Hammon’s Game 1 Strategy Nobody Saw Coming

The Aces saw Evans’ eruption with 21 points, including 5-of-6 from three, and Jewell Loyd’s 18, combining for 39 of the Aces’ 41 bench points. This depth, a departure from past top-heavy rosters, overwhelmed Phoenix despite Alyssa Thomas’ triple-double (16 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists). 

However, the victory sets the tone for a best-of-seven series, with Game 2 on Sunday at Michelob Ultra Arena. Facing a Mercury squad led by Thomas, Satou Sabally, and DeWanna Bonner, the Aces leaned on flexibility to counter a 16-point third-quarter deficit. A’ja Wilson, held to 21 points on 7-of-16 shooting, still delivered 10 rebounds and five assists, but the bench stole the show. 

Becky Hammon 😳🐐

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24 ) pic.twitter.com/w7nxiMWvQo

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 4, 2025

Additionally, Hammon’s playbook caught everyone off guard. Trailing 68-52 late in the third, she flipped from man-to-man to zone defense, disrupting Phoenix’s rhythm. The Mercury shot just 6-of-18 in the fourth as Las Vegas clawed back. Then, with 14 seconds left and an 87-86 lead, Hammon inserted reserve Kiah Stokes, who was absent all game, for a crucial defensive stop. 

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Becky Hammon Credits Bench Role In Aces’ Mercury Victory

While the whole gameplay was a perfectly mastered craft from Hammon, she didn’t hesitate to laud her reserves. 

“We have weapons. We want to use them all because we’re harder to guard that way. It was just a really great time for our bench to come up and have a big game. … Oh my goodness, our bench was huge,” Hammon said.

Together, Becky’s stars outshone Wilson’s quieter night (by her four-time MVP standards) and Phoenix’s stars. The bench’s 41 points dwarfed Phoenix’s 12, a gap that decided the game.