“We on go de Bia” is echoing loud to soundtrack the 2025 WNBA Finals! History will be written in the series that tips off tonight between A’ja Wilson’s Las Vegas Aces and Alyssa Thomas’ Phoenix Mercury! For the Mercury, their presence here comes as a surprise to many. Everyone expected Minnesota and Napheesa Collier. Before that, many had New York and Breanna Stewart penciled in. But Phoenix had other plans!
The Road to the 2025 WNBA Finals: Tougher Than Expected
On the Las Vegas side, everything seemed to be going according to plan. The script was unfolding perfectly—until the scare. Indiana forced a decisive Game 5 despite the absences already affecting the roster and the loss of Kelsey Mitchell. What had looked like a comfortable series suddenly turned into a near-disaster. It took overtime to finally settle the semifinal. And Odyssey Sims had decided that, despite all the odds stacked against her, she had nothing to lose.
Almost single-handedly, she dragged Vegas into overtime. This was the same player who admitted before the game that she feared disappointing the crowd. After averaging around 11 points in the series, she exploded for more than 30 in Game 5. But on the other side stood a giant. And sometimes overtime is a few minutes too many, exposing the gap between two teams. Much like the Cavaliers experienced in 2018 after the infamous JR Smith meltdown.
Las Vegas: A’ja Wilson on a Mission
For A’ja, winning this Finals would be the ultimate crowning achievement. She captured her fourth MVP award this season, has already won two WNBA championships (2022, 2023), and would love nothing more than to cap this campaign in the best possible fashion. Let’s be clear: A’ja Wilson is also in the running for the title of WNBA GOAT. Another ring would greatly strengthen her case after this remarkable season.
She will be well supported by Chelsey Gray and Jackie Young, two elite teammates who share the responsibility of leading this team to the summit. In fact, Wilson and Young became the first teammates ever to score more than 30 points each in a playoff elimination game. That’s no small feat. Jewell Lloyd will also bring her deadly shooting to the table. After their brief scare, Vegas is ready for this final sprint.
Phoenix Mercury: He Who Laughs Last Laughs Best
For Phoenix Mercury, Alyssa Thomas would love to add her first championship ring to an already long and prolific career. She holds the record for the most playoff double-doubles. She is a multiple-time All-Star. What she lacks is that championship ring—and what better way to win it than alongside her fiancée, none other than DeWanna Bonner? (The two previously played together with the Connecticut Sun at the beginning of a relationship that is now four years strong.)
She can count on Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner, the only remaining players from the Mercury squad that reached the Finals in 2021, as well as a highly confident Satou Sabally. This team is hungry. It has already eliminated two heavy favorites. Is there room for a third upset? Or will A’ja Wilson’s mighty Aces prove too much to digest?
Game 1 tips off during the night of Friday, October 3, into Saturday, October 4!
