WNBA: Mercury, Aces set up 2025 Finals after dispatching Lynx, Fever

Mon Anthony Valmoria
Oct 1 2025

The 2025 WNBA Finals is set: the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces will battle in a best-of-seven championship, after Phoenix edged the top-seeded Lynx 3-1 and Las Vegas survived the Fever in an unforgettable Game 5 overtime duel. 

It marks a new Finals matchup and caps two dramatically different semifinal runs, along with the league’s first-ever best-of-seven title series.

Phoenix rallies past top-seeded Minnesota, take series 3-1

The Mercury entered the postseason as underdogs and proved doubters wrong by dispatching Minnesota Lynx, the No. 1 seed, in four games to reach the Finals. After falling in Game 1, Phoenix won three straight – including a gritty Game 4 where they erased a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to close it out 86-81.

Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, and Kahleah Copper all played key roles in the comeback, while the Lynx – dealing with injuries to star Napheesa Collier and a suspension to head coach Cheryl Reeve – were unable to answer down the stretch. In Game 4, the Mercury’s fourth-quarter surge was decisive and forced Minnesota into vulnerable holes.

Las Vegas outlast Indiana in Game 5 overtime showdown

Las Vegas’ path was every bit as dramatic. In the deciding Game 5, the Aces beat the Fever 107-98 in OT to clinch their Finals berth. A’ja Wilson dropped 35 points, Jackie Young scored 32, and Chelsea Gray delivered clutch contributions en route to the win.

The Fever, already battered by injuries (notably missing Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham as well as dealing with the loss of Kelsey Mitchell mid-game), pushed Vegas hard. Indiana rallied late in regulation to tie it, but Las Vegas took control early in overtime and held on.

What’s Next: Mercury-Aces Finals preview

The 2025 Finals will be played as a best-of-seven series, marking the first time in WNBA history the championship round is extended to seven games. 

What happened was a contrast of journeys, as Phoenix’s path was more controlled and decisive, while Las Vegas had to fight through adversity and depth.

ANALYSIS: The series will likely spotlight battles between A’ja Wilson/Jackie Young and Phoenix’s core of Thomas, Sabally, and Copper – two high-stakes groups fighting for the ultimate prize in the WNBA.

The Mercury will have a noticeable amount of rest, as the Aces pushed through a grueling Game 5 in OT, while Phoenix had a slightly easier close in their semifinal. Which team handles fatigue better could be a factor.