The Phoenix Mercury had no answer to the Las Vegas Aces’ strong performance in Game 2 at the Michelob Ultra Arena. The hosts outclassed their opponents in every department with clinical gameplay. While it was commendable efforts by the Aces, the Arizona-based team also needs to work on its inconsistent offense and defensive lapses.
Ahead of the WNBA finals series, Kahleah Copper highlighted that the Mercury side deserves to be in the WNBA finals, but the performances in the Finals are highly contradictory to her claims. The forward and HC Nate Tibbetts broke down the definitive moment that led to the Mercury’s Game 1 loss, and now, after Game 2, the list of errors might get even bigger.
Phoenix Mercury Struggling With Consistency
The two Mercury vs Aces showdowns in the 2025 WNBA finals tell different stories, but one winner at the end. In Game 1, the Mercury had a nine-point lead in the game, yet the hosts came back with a three-point victory, shutting down the Mercury’s offense with zone defense.
In Game 2, Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson combined for 60 points. The offensive barrage on the Mercury defence handed both stars records in the WNBA finals as Wilson joined an elite WNBA Finals scoring club with 20 first-half points, and Young became a player with the most points in a quarter.
Final. pic.twitter.com/IiyZ7ndcaP
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) October 5, 2025
While their defensive lapses cost them both matches, their offensive inconsistency also played a significant role in the losses. The fourth seed team shot 47% from the field in Game 1, which dropped to 40% in Game 2. A more significant drop was in the three-point shooting, where the side connected only 19% of its ranged shots in Game 2 compared to 39% in Game 1.
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Game 3 at the PHX arena will be a crucial one as the Mercury’s loss will virtually hand the Aces the 2025 WNBA championship. Nate Tibbetts gave an emotional tribute to family amid the Phoenix Mercury’s epic WNBA finals berth, but the second-year coach will want to make it even more memorable, lifting a trophy at the end of the series.
Phoenix Mercury Can Not Rely Only On Alyssa Thomas
There is no question that the three-time champion side is heavily reliant on Alyssa Thomas, who is putting up high numbers on the stat sheet. But the lack of a designated point guard limits AT’s defensive capabilities, as she is constantly looking to take care of the ball at the offensive end. Moreover, the Aces shifted their defensive strategy to a zone defence, limiting the 33-year-old forward’s passing lanes.
Although she is an excellent player at reading the games and making accurate passes, she is not an elite ball handler or dribbler to ‘unlock the Aces’ defensive stance. Nate Tibbetts also tries to force more three-point attempts from the players, with just 19 made shots from 64 attempts.
Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper, and DeWanna Bonner need to step up (even though they are scoring respectable points), their efficiency and impact to challenge the mighty Aces side.